Lorraine Kelly's (Next) Big Fat Challenge - The Bio Channel

I've been meaning to post about this show since I started up this blog, it's one of my guilty pleasures and as such features as my first 'vice!'


The programme, featured on the Bio Channel, is promoted as being a factual show centred on the Chawner family and their bid to lose the bulk of their considerable combined weight of 91 stone and their efforts in securing jobs. Throughout the first season, the Chawner family managed a joint loss of 12 stone over a period of 5 months, however on their return in 'Lorraine Kelly's Next Big Fat Challenge,' all of the Chawners had piled a lot of the weight back on.


Now, although so far it would seem that this show is a pretty run of the mill weight loss series, be under no illusions, it is as far from Biggest Loser USA as is humanly possible and instead is more suitably labelled as comedy gold.


From the opening titles, set to the theme chanting "Oh, feed me, feed me, feed me, feed me 'till I'm fit to burst..." the programme descends into quite possibly the most ridiculous weight loss scenarios, from parents Audrey and Phil claiming that trifles are a good source of vitamins, to the frequent rows between parents and daughters. It is the Chawner family's reluctance to learn and take action to lose the flab, coupled with a tongue in cheek approach to the production that ensure the comedy value of the show.


Highlights include a visit to a weight loss camp, mother Audrey doing the 'Twist,' husband Phil claiming that his wife smells too much to be intimate with, Audrey's visit to hospital ruining dinner and a trip to the local swimming pool. The family's belief that, for example, eating a different flavour of sausage every night is healthy, as well as the constant ridiculing of each other that the family enjoy always keep the laughs coming.


Move over Jersey Shore and the Kardashians...the Chawners have landed. With a thud.


Lorriane Kelly's Next Big Fat Challenge airs on Tuesdays at 8pm on the Bio Channel.


Taking into account their weight, and the fact it's definitely a guilty pleasure...the Chawners earn...


91/10 - VICE ;-)