Operation Transformation (TV series)

Operation Transformation is a health and fitness programme airing on RTÉ One in Ireland. The show is a cross-media event broadcast via radio, web and television on RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ One since 2008. Prior to this it had been limited to radio but has since expanded onto the web and television. It is comparable to US television show The Biggest Loser.

"Evelyn Farrell" redirects here. For athlete, see Evelyn Farrell (athlete).

Operation Transformation
Created byVision Independent Productions
StarringGerry Ryan (2008-2010)
Evelyn O'Rourke (2008-2010)
Darren Kennedy (2010)
Kathryn Thomas (2011-present)
John Murray (2011-2014)
Ray D'Arcy (2016–present)
Country of originIreland
No. of series16
No. of episodesAt least 16 (first two series)
Release
Original networkRTÉ One
Original release10 January 2008 (2008-01-10)

The fifth series, which began in January 2012,[1] was hosted by Kathryn Thomas with the radio element provided by RTÉ Radio 1's The John Murray Show. Initially presented (up to season 2) by reporter Evelyn O'Rourke replaced by Darren Kennedy (season 3), the event saw six hopefuls, selected by Gerry Ryan on his radio show, attempt to reshape their lives as they are supported and guided by a panel of experts in the fields of fitness, nutrition and psychology in order to reach their individual goals. O'Rourke performed the role of "cheerleader" to her companion Gerry Ryan's "ringmaster".[2]

There are weekly updates on television, daily updates on radio and a 24/7 live webcam on a dedicated site within RTÉ.ie for a period of seven weeks. Each year the event culminates in a grand finale, in which the contestants present their new selves to their loved ones and the viewing and listening public. Gerry Ryan himself said on air that he was two stone (13 kg) lighter following the 2008 event than he was before it began.[3] Several politicians took part in 2010. Gerry Ryan died suddenly in 2010, so the show ended up in the hands of Kathryn Thomas (TV) and RTÉ Radio 1's The John Murray Show in 2011.

Ray D'Arcy presented the radio part of the show from 2016 onwards.

History

2008
Summary

The 2008 event saw six hopefuls, selected by Ryan on his radio show, attempt to reshape their lives as they were supported and guided by a panel of experts in the fields of fitness, nutrition and psychology in order to reach their individual goals. There were weekly updates on television (broadcast at 20:30 on Thursday nights), daily updates on radio and a 24/7 live webcam on a dedicated site within RTÉ.ie for a period of seven weeks. The event culminated in a grand finale from the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Swords, County Dublin, broadcast on Thursday 28 February 2008, in which the six contestants presented their new selves to their loved ones and the viewing and listening public.[4] The 2008 event had over 2 million hits.[5] Six months after the show's finale, the television programme Operation Transformation Revisited was commissioned to investigate the welfare of the contestants. 2008 contestant Donal Looney completed the Dublin Marathon inside four hours in 2009. It was reported that Eamon Joyce had hurt his knee and couldn't take part.[3]

Leaders

Three males and three females, selected from Ryan's radio listenership, partook in the television show. The final six participants were announced on Friday, 7 December 2007 on The Gerry Ryan Show.

Ryan caused upset when he suggested Violet O'Shea had not lost any weight despite following the programme. However, as she continued, she eventually did begin to lose weight. Her brother Christopher read a poem of encouragement on air and "the nation wept". Violet O'Shea is now five stone (32 kg).[3] Eamon Joyce lost four stone (25 kg) in total.[6]

NameAge
(at time of selection)		LocationOccupation
Eamonn Joyce[7]36WicklowChef
Evelyn Farrell[7]37WestmeathAccountant
Donal Looney[7]42Tipperary[8]Ready mix driver
Louise Collins[7]21CorkPre-school teacher
Ollie Hannah Murtagh[7]29MonaghanAdult education teacher
Violet O'Shea[7]44RahenyTaxi driver
Experts

Four individuals sat on a panel of experts.

NameProfessionLink
Dr. Eva OrsmondMedical doctor[9]
Dr. Ian GarganPsychologist[10]
Karl HenryPersonal trainer[11]
Marietta DoranFashion stylist[12]

2009
Summary

OT 2009 was launched by Ryan and O'Rourke on The Gerry Ryan Show on 3 November 2008. For the first time, there was an Operation Transformation Roadshow, which took place at a number of destinations throughout November and December. Each morning, O'Rourke would be at the specified location and would report to GRS over the morning.[13]

DateLocation
18 November 2008Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa, Galway
20 November 2008Sheraton Hotel & Spa Fota Island Resort, Cork
24 November 2008Sheraton Athlone Hotel
2 December 2008Burlington Hotel, Dublin

The show began airing on RTÉ radio, television and online in January 2009, accompanied by The Afternoon Show.[14]

Experts

Three individuals sat on a panel of experts.

NameProfession
Dr. Eva OrsmondMedical doctor
Karl HenryPersonal trainer
Pat HenryYoga therapist/Potentialist/Fitness consultant
Leaders

On 4 December, the final 25 appeared on The Gerry Ryan Show live from studio one "in the bowels" of RTÉ's Donnybrook studios.[15] The six leaders were announced on 8 December.[16] The show ran from 8 January until 26 February on RTÉ One. The website had over one million hits, a 41 per cent increase on the previous year.[17]

NameAge
(at time of selection)		LocationWeight
(at beginning of challenge)		Target weight loss
Kelly Brouder31Limerick14 st 13.5 lb (95.0 kg)2 st (12.7 kg)
Keith Anthony44Cork20 st 6.5 lbs (130.0 kg)3 st (19.0 kg)
Mick Boyce26Dublin17 st (108.0 kg)2.5 st (15.9 kg)
Colette Cronin33Dundalk14 st 11 lbs (93.9 kg)2 st (12.7 kg)
Denise Ryan28Tipperary19 st 8 lbs (124.3 kg)3 st (19.0 kg)
Jean Kelly47Dublin14 st 1 lb (89.4 kg)1.5 st (9.5 kg)

2010
Summary

OT 2010 began on television at 20:00 on RTÉ One on 13 January 2010. For the first time politicians, including the now internationally famous Paul Gogarty,[18] took part.[19] Gerry Ryan appeared on The Late Late Show to discuss the programme on 15 January 2010.[20]

Ciara Dunne (a nurse),[21] Amanda Casey, Conor O'Connor, Anna Naughton and Penny Dwyer all participated.[22]

They lost more than ten stones (63 kg) in weight between them all during the series.[23] Deputy Seán Connick shed 20 pounds (9.1 kg).[24] Senator Nicky McFadden shed 22 pounds (10.0 kg).[25] Deputy Fergus O'Dowd shed 24½ pounds (11.1 kg).[26]

The final episode of the series was broadcast on 3 March 2010.[23] The website achieved at least 3 million hits during the series.[23][27]

The first three episodes of the series each attracted a 30.97 audience share.[22]

Reviewing the finale for The Irish Times, Kevin Courtney observed the "non-stop soundtrack of classic pop songs [which] resembled a 2FM show from the 1980s".[28]

2011
Summary

Five people were chosen: Rachel Walker (Tallaght, County Dublin); Sinead Heffernan (Enfield, County Meath); Emily Piggott (Killarney, County Kerry); Ronan Scully (Knocknacarra, County Galway).[1] The series was broadcast on television from 5 January 2011.[1] The five appeared alongside Kathryn Thomas on The Late Late Show on 14 January 2011.[29]

2012
Summary

Five people were chosen: Adrian Brereton (Edenderry, County Offaly); Natalie Cox (Crumlin, Dublin); Kayleigh Yeoman (Limerick); Grace Batterberry (Castletownroche, County Cork); Killian Byrne (Rathfarnham, County Dublin).[30] They appeared on The Saturday Night Show on 7 January 2012.[31] The first episode, broadcast on 4 January 2012, attracted more viewers than the previous year's series.[32] The participants had shed more than six stone (38 kg) of fat from their bodies by the halfway mark.[33] One of the leaders nearly quit, which would have been the first time it happened.[34]

Viewers also downloaded a fake app to the annoyance of RTÉ.[35]

Thousands of people took part in the Operation Transformation 5k Fun Run in the Phoenix Park on 18 February 2012.[36]

The leaders lost more than 11 stone (5 kg) between them over the series.[37][38] Killian Byrne lost the most weight: 3 st 4.5 lbs (21.1 kg).[39] Grace Batterberry became a poster girl for anti-smoking and cancer prevention.[40]

2013

The five leaders were: Deirdre Hosford, Charlotte O'Connell, Monica Percy, Gavin Walker and Gregg Starr.

2014

The six leaders were: Jennifer Burns, Deirdre O'Donovan, Paudie O'Mahony, Siobhan McKillen, Sarah Campbell and Marc Gibbs.[41][42] The six leaders managed to lose over 13 stone between them.[43] This year Operation Transformation teamed up with the Irish Heart Foundation to hold the first ever National Blood Pressure Day.[42]

2015
Experts

Three individuals sat on a panel of experts.

NameProfession
Aoife HearneDietician
Karl HenryPersonal trainer
Dr. Ciara KellyDoctor
Leaders
NameAge
(at time of selection)		LocationWeight
(at beginning of challenge)		Target weight loss
Mark McArdle [44]44Louth
Louise Ormsby44Dublin
Veronica Horgan26Cork
Eilish Kavanagh33Wexford
Alan Mullen28Westmeath

2016

The five leaders were: Dan Kennedy, Lucy Dillon, John Conmy, Clare Scanlon and Noeleen Lynam.[45] Dan Kennedy was the first leader to quit Operation Transformation in the nine series it has been on.[46] This was due to Colitis.[46] Dan had a pre-existing medical condition that neither his GP nor the Operation Transformation team was aware of.[46]

2017

The five leaders were: Mairead Redmond, Seán Daly, Yvonne Keenan-Ross, Chris McElligott and Marie Grace. In the first two episodes of Operation Transformation, it lost 80,000 viewers when compared with the first two episodes of the series in 2016.[47] Despite this a spokesperson said that they were happy with the ratings for Operation Transformation.[47]

2018

Operation Transformation teamed up with the GAA for "Ireland Lights up", a campaign helping communities to enjoy healthy walks in the environs of their GAA club.[48] The five leaders were: Mary Diamond 52 from Mayo, Felicity Moroney 30 from Dublin, Wayne O'Donnell 29 from Cork, Sarah O'Callaghan 27 from Cavan and David Cryan 38 from Dublin.[49]

2019

Balbriggan was the location for this year's show.[50] Doctor Sumi Dunne replaced doctor Ciara Kelly, meaning the four experts were: Karl Henry, Aoife Hearne, doctor Eddie Murphy and doctor Sumi Dunne.[50] The five leaders were: Siobhan O'Brien 30 from Dublin, Paul Murphy 41 from Sligo, Cathal Gallagher 48 from Donegal, Jean Tierney 33 from Limerick and Pamela Swayne 36 from Cork. Jean Tierney left 3 weeks into the show after she discovered she was pregnant.[51]

2020

For the first time the show hosted its first couple.[52] The leaders were Andrea Rea 31, Barry Rea 39 both Cork, Lorraine O'Neill 46 from Cavan, Tanya Carroll 33 from Cork, Shane Farrell 29 from Galway.


2021
Summary

Five people were chosen: Andrew Burke-Hannon (Dublin), Hazel Hartigan (Limerick), Sharon Gaffney (Dublin), Susuana Komolafe (Cavan) and Paul Devaney (Galway).

2022

There were a few changes to the show this year. The weigh-in outfits were no longer lycra crop tops, bicycle shorts and leggings.[53][54] Instead the contestants wore leisure wear.[53][54] The five leaders were: Katie Jones, Kathleen Hurley Mullins, John Ryan, Stefano Sweetman and Sarah O'Connor Ryan.[53]

2023

This year there is a new blue OT logo.[54] Dietician Sophie Pratt replaced Aoife Hearne as an expert. The five leaders are: Stephanie Bowden, Andrea Day, Thomas Hynes, Lorraine Dempsey and Marie Clear.[55]

International

In 2013, the rights to the format were bought by Belgian and Dutch television stations. The Belgian version was entitled Let's Get Fit. Programme producer Philip Kampff had expressed wanting to pitch it to the United States previously but was finding it difficult, due to the non-competitive nature of the format.[56] However, the following year, it was reported that an American broadcaster was interested in the format.[57]

In 2016 and 2017 there was a Celebrity Operation Transformation.

In 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic there was a spin-off called "Operation Transformation: Keeping Well Apart". There were no weight targets.

In 2023 former leader Katie Jones started hosting an Operation Transformation podcast.

References
  1. "Five chosen for Operation Transformation". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 4 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  2. "Diet Hard II". RTÉ Guide. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2009.
  3. GRS. 3 November 2008.
  4. McElroy, Naomi (24 February 2008). "TELLY Vision: The Best ... HEALTH - Operation Transformation RTÉ1". BNET originally published in the Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  5. The Gerry Ryan Show. RTÉ 2fm. 3 November 2008.
  6. Evelyn O'Rourke. GRS. 10 November 2008.
  7. "The Guinea Pigs". RTÉ Guide. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  8. "Donal gets healthy in Operation Transformation". The Nenagh Guardian. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  9. Dr. Eva Orsmond Archived 30 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Expert Panel. Operation Transformation.
  10. Ian Gargan Archived 2 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Expert Panel. Operation Transformation.
  11. Karl Henry. Expert Panel. Operation Transformation.
  12. Marietta Doran Archived 18 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Expert Panel. Operation Transformation.
  13. "Operation Transformation" Archived 7 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. RTÉ 2fm. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  14. "The Afternoon Show Operation Transformation". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  15. GRS RTÉ 2fm. 4 December 2008.
  16. "RTÉ announces six new OT leaders". RTÉ Arts. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 9 December 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  17. "A million Gerry diet fans go online". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. 6 February 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  18. Doyle, Kevin (31 December 2009). "Gogarty's F-word rant wins pat on back from voters". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  19. Maher, Damien (4 January 2010). "Shape up: Learn to take control in the New Year". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  20. "Tubridy joined by Oscar nominee on LLS". RTÉ Arts. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  21. Finn, Melanie (24 February 2010). "Dieting hero Ciara's shopping spree to celebrate new shape". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  22. Finn, Melanie (29 January 2010). "How Ireland is hooked on Gerry's weight loss show". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  23. "OT leaders have shed over 10 stone". RTÉ Arts. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  24. "Deputy Connick 'thrilled' over transformation". New Ross Standard. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  25. "Nicky sheds 22 pounds in TV show". Westmeath Independent. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  26. "TD sheds pounds by taking oriental route". Drogheda Independent. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  27. Finn, Melanie (3 March 2010). "Operation Transformation ratings swell as final figures are revealed". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  28. Courtney, Kevin (6 March 2010). "Rescue missions". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2010. Pot, kettle, black issues aside, Ryan seemed unsuited to the role of the nation's Mr Motivator. As he met each leader and announced how much weight they had lost, he could have been tallying up the totals on "Winning Streak of Bacon". It doesn't help that the programme's non-stop soundtrack of classic pop songs resembled a 2FM show from the 1980s.
  29. "Guests revealed for The Late Late Show". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 15 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  30. "Operation Transformation leaders selected". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 18 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  31. "Rachel Allen among O'Connor's guests". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 6 January 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  32. Campos, Adelina (7 January 2012). "Operation Transformation piles on the viewers as 600,000 watch first show: PEAK: 36,600 more viewers than last year". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  33. "OT leaders leave six stone behind". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  34. Campos, Adelina (9 February 2012). "OT's plucky Natalie is back on track after shedding 4lbs". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  35. Campos, Adelina (11 February 2012). "RTÉ not Appy over unapproved Operation Transformation tie-in". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  36. "Thousands take part in OT run". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 18 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  37. "OT leaders lose over 11 stone". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  38. Finn, Melanie (22 February 2012). "I hope I'll be back next year -- Kathryn". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  39. "Killian is diet king". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  40. Campos, Adelina (21 February 2012). "Op Trans' Grace is the poster girl for quitting smoking . . ". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  41. "Kerry GAA star is fourth OT leader". RTÉ. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  42. "Six OT leaders lose over 13 stone". RTÉ.ie. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  43. "Six OT leaders lose over 13 stone". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  44. "Operation Transformation leader loses an extra 22 pounds since show ended". evoke.ie. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  45. "Operation Transformation leaders for Ray D'Arcy". RTÉ.ie. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  46. Loughrey-Grant, Taragh (26 January 2016). "Dan withdraws from Operation Transformation". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  47. "New series of Operation Transformation drops 80,000 viewers". independent. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  48. "GAA & Operation Transformation want to get us walking". RTÉ.ie. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  49. McDonough, Jilly (24 November 2017). "Operation Transformation 2018: Meet your first male leader". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  50. "Operation Transformation is back with new changes and old charms". RTÉ.ie. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  51. O’Callaghan, Helen (20 March 2020). "Special delivery: Operation Transformation's Jean Tierney on celebrating Mother's Day". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  52. Transformation, More from Operation (8 January 2020). "Meet the leaders of Operation Transformation 2020!". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  53. Radio 1, More from RTÉ (23 February 2022). "OT 2022 leaders reflect on eight transformative weeks". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  54. "Operation Transformation: What's new about the RTÉ show this year?". independent. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  55. "Final Operation Transformation Leader for 2023 revealed". RTÉ.ie. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  56. "RTE's Operation Transformation goes global". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  57. Clifford, Graham (23 February 2014). "US station eyeing up 'Operation Transformation'". Irish Independent.
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