Fat Families

Last updated

Fat Families
Genre Documentary
Presented by Steve Miller
Theme music composerLawrence Oakley
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producerLaura Mansfield
Running time60 minutes
Production companyOutline Productions
Original release
Network Sky1
Release6 January (2010-01-06) 
30 December 2010 (2010-12-30)

Fat Families is a documentary reality show that was broadcast on Sky1 from 6 January to 30 December 2010. Weight loss expert Steve Miller helps overweight families improve their lifestyles and eating habits. [1]

Contents

During each programme Steve initially spends 24 hours with the family and discovers what they eat on a normal day. He then spends the rest of the week educating the family about what they can do to help them lose weight. At the end of the week Steve modifies the family home to keep them motivated to lose weight. The families are then given a further 9 weeks to lose weight with Steve giving each person a target weight loss. [2]

Families are also revisited months later in episodes titled "Second Helpings" to see how they have progressed. [3]

Episodes

Series 1

EpisodeFamilyOriginal airdate
1The Cuff family6 January 2010
Steve visits the Cuff family in Telford. Anne loses 28 pounds, Mike loses 28 pounds, and Tarnya loses 49 pounds.
2The Jeapes family13 January 2010
Steve visits the Jeapes family in Eastbourne. Ron loses 22 pounds, Daniel loses 25 pounds, Mark loses 25 pounds, and Alan loses 16 pounds.
3The Huzzey family20 January 2010
Steve visits the Huzzey family in Chelmsford. Phil loses 48 pounds, Jan loses 49 pounds, and Kaleigh loses 24 pounds.
4The Radford family27 January 2010
Steve visits the Radford family in Blackpool. Lou loses 13 pounds and Steven (Radford) loses 11 pounds. While the show focused on weight loss and fitness, underlying health conditions are not always immediately apparent.

Tragically, Steven passed away on July 26, 2011, due to dilated cardiomyopathy.

[4]

5The Blackholly family3 February 2010
Steve visits the Blackholly family in Wiltshire. Toni loses 38 pounds and Neil loses 60 pounds.
6The Haddrell family10 February 2010
Steve visits the Haddrell family in Luton. Eileen loses 28 pounds, Linda loses 27 pounds, Matt loses 31 pounds, and Sarah loses 28 pounds.

Series 2

EpisodeFamilyOriginal airdate
1The Joell-Ireland family25 October 2010
2The Turner family26 October 2010
3The Gunning family27 October 2010
4The Parker family1 November 2010
5Jasette, Ladonna, Sharlene and Tracey2 November 2010
Steve visits Jasette, Ladonna, Sharlene and Tracey in London. Jasette loses 28 pounds, Ladonna loses 28 pounds, Sharlene loses 25 pounds, and Tracey loses 29 pounds.
6The D'Arcier family3 November 2010
Steve visits the D'Arcier family in North Yorkshire. Michelle loses 18 pounds and Bridget loses 17 pounds.
7The Brookes family8 November 2010
Steve visits the Brookes family in Liverpool. Clare loses 27 pounds and Andrew loses 50 pounds
8The Middleton family15 November 2010
Steve visits the Middleton family in Birmingham. A.J. loses 33 pounds and Charlie loses 37 pounds.

Reception

Fat Families was noted for Miller's presentation style and ruthless tone, described by The Northern Echo as "toe-curlingly honest with the people who take part in the show." [5] The Guardian speculated that "the food-cam, phrases such as 'It's time to get off your wobbly bums' and the fact that Miller resembles a creation of Shirley Ghostman's Marc Wootton, mean it's got to be a spoof." [6] In 2022, clips of the show went viral on TikTok . [7]

References

  1. "Weight loss: 'Ditch rigid diets' and 'walk taller' to help you slim down". 30 March 2022.
  2. "GMB row sees Fat Families presenter argue obese people should be refused junk food 'to save their life' = Bristol Live". 28 April 2021.
  3. "Fat Families: Second Helpings sees gut-busting Steve Miller return". 9 June 2010.
  4. Says, Jules (16 August 2011). "Sudden Loss".
  5. "Mind over platter". The Northern Echo. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  6. "Watch this". The Guardian. 6 January 2010.
  7. Tait, Amelia (29 September 2022). "'Fat Families': Inside TV's Most Brutal Weight Loss Reality Show". VICE. Retrieved 13 August 2024.