Operation Transformation leader Dan Kennedy has been forced to withdraw from the RTÉ series for medical reasons.
Last week on RTÉ One, Operation Transformation viewers saw the Dubliner going to hospital, having admitted that during the first weigh-in on the show he was suffering from stomach cramps and had been passing blood.
Following tests Dan was diagnosed with severe colitis - inflammation of the lining of the colon - which he had been experiencing the symptoms of prior to taking part in Operation Transformation. Neither Dan's GP nor anyone on the Operation Transformation team was aware of this when he was selected as a leader.
Speaking on the Ray D'Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Tuesday, Dan said he began experiencing symptoms at the end of October but did not visit his doctor. "I thought it would pass - like all men," he admitted.
Operation Transformation's Dr Ciara Kelly said that the surgeon who performed Dan's colonoscopy said it was the worst case of colitis he had ever seen. She said she marvelled at how Dan did so much on Operation Transformation, given how ill he was.
Dan has been receiving treatment for the past week in hospital. At the weekend the 44-year-old was told by doctors that his health is currently not strong enough for him to continue with his Operation Transformation weight loss plan.
Dan, who is from Beaumont, is due to be discharged from hospital this week.
He described having to suspend his weight loss plan as "devastating". "Look, good things come out of these things as well," he continued. "It's not the end of the world. I'm going to get it cleared up and get better and continue on the Operation Transformation [plan] for a year - it's not just for six/seven weeks."
Dr Kelly said that the show hopes that after the current series is finished, and Dan is back to full health, there will be a "linking in" with him over the course of a year.
Operation Transformation host Kathryn Thomas said everyone on the show is very disappointed that Dan could not continue the journey with them at present.
"He approached the Operation Transformation plan with huge enthusiasm, determination and great humour," she said. "The most important thing for Dan right now is to focus his attentions on getting well again and we all wish him a very speedy recovery."
