Operation Transformation (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Operation Transformation is an Irish
health and fitness programme. The show is a cross-media event broadcast via radio, web and television on RTÉ 2fm
, RTÉ.ie
and RTÉ One
(dubbed the three-sixty by Gerry Ryan
) since 2008. Prior to this it had been limited to radio but has since expanded onto the web and television.
The fourth series, which began in January 2011, is hosted by Kathryn Thomas
with the radio element provided by RTÉ Radio One's The John Murray Show. Thomas is also to present the fifth series in 2012.
Initially presented (up to season 3) by reporter Evelyn O'Rourke
, 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".
There are 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. Each year the event culminates in a grand finale, in which the six 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 lighter following the 2008 event than he was before it began. 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 One's The John Murray Show from 2011 onwards.
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. The 2008 event had over 2 million hits. 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.
.
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. Eamon Joyce lost four stone in total.
The show began airing on RTÉ radio, television and online in January 2009, accompanied by The Afternoon Show
.
on January 13, 2010. For the first time politicians, including the now internationally famous Paul Gogarty
, took part. Gerry Ryan appeared on The Late Late Show
to discuss the programme on January 15, 2010.
Ciara Dunne (a nurse), Amanda Casey, Conor O'Connor, Anna Naughton and Penny Dwyer all participated.
They lost more than ten stones in weight between them all during the series. Deputy Seán Connick
shed 20 pounds. Senator Nicky McFadden
shed 22 pounds. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd
shed 24½ pounds.
The final episode of the series was broadcast on 3 March 2010. The website achieved at least 3 million hits during the series.
The first three episodes of the series each attracted a 30.97 audience share.
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".
, County Dublin
); Sinead Heffernan (Enfield, County Meath
); Jayne Glavin (Newbridge, County Kildare
); Emily Piggott (Killarney
, County Kerry
); Ronan Scully (Knocknacarra, County Galway
). The series was broadcast on television from 5 January 2011. The five appeared alongside Kathryn Thomas on The Late Late Show
on 14 January 2011.
, County Offaly
); Natalie Cox (Crumlin
, Dublin); Kayleigh Yeoman (Limerick
); Grace Batterberry (Castletownroche
, County Cork
); Killian Byrne (Rathfarnham
, County Dublin
).
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
health and fitness programme. The show is a cross-media event broadcast via radio, web and television on RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
, RTÉ.ie
Rte.ie
RTÉ.ie is the brand name and home of RTÉ's online activities, located at the URL http://rte.ie. The site began publishing on 26 May 1996. According to RTÉ, it operates on an entirely commercial basis, receiving none of the licence fee which funds much of RTÉ's activity. The site, it says, is funded...
and RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
(dubbed the three-sixty by Gerry Ryan
Gerry Ryan
Gerard "Gerry" Ryan was an Irish presenter of radio and television employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann...
) since 2008. Prior to this it had been limited to radio but has since expanded onto the web and television.
The fourth series, which began in January 2011, is hosted by Kathryn Thomas
Kathryn Thomas
Kathryn Thomas is an Irish television presenter from Carlow. She does be doing the holiday programme on RTÉ. Now she does a Winning Streak every week with Marty Whelan...
with the radio element provided by RTÉ Radio One's The John Murray Show. Thomas is also to present the fifth series in 2012.
Initially presented (up to season 3) by reporter Evelyn O'Rourke
Evelyn O'Rourke
Evelyn O'Rourke is an Irish radio researcher, roving reporter, presenter and television personality employed by RTÉ and from Dublin.O'Rourke joined RTÉ in 1998 and featured as a researcher on The Gay Byrne Show and The Arts Show on RTÉ Radio 1 before moving on to become roving reporter on Today...
, the event saw six hopefuls, selected by Gerry Ryan on his radio show
The Gerry Ryan Show
The Gerry Ryan Show was RTÉ 2fm's mid-morning 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".
There are 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
Rte.ie
RTÉ.ie is the brand name and home of RTÉ's online activities, located at the URL http://rte.ie. The site began publishing on 26 May 1996. According to RTÉ, it operates on an entirely commercial basis, receiving none of the licence fee which funds much of RTÉ's activity. The site, it says, is funded...
for a period of seven weeks. Each year the event culminates in a grand finale, in which the six 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 lighter following the 2008 event than he was before it began. Several politicians took part in 2010. Gerry Ryan died suddenly in 2010
Death of Gerry Ryan
The sudden death of RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan occurred on 30 April 2010. He was 53. Ryan had been presenting The Gerry Ryan Show since 1988 and at the time of his death had the largest audience on RTÉ 2fm...
, so the show ended up in the hands of Kathryn Thomas
Kathryn Thomas
Kathryn Thomas is an Irish television presenter from Carlow. She does be doing the holiday programme on RTÉ. Now she does a Winning Streak every week with Marty Whelan...
(TV) and RTÉ Radio One's The John Murray Show from 2011 onwards.
2008 event
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 RTE.ieRte.ie
RTÉ.ie is the brand name and home of RTÉ's online activities, located at the URL http://rte.ie. The site began publishing on 26 May 1996. According to RTÉ, it operates on an entirely commercial basis, receiving none of the licence fee which funds much of RTÉ's activity. The site, it says, is funded...
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. The 2008 event had over 2 million hits. 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
Dublin Marathon
The Dublin Marathon is an annual marathon in Dublin, Ireland, normally held on the last Monday in October, which is a public holiday in Ireland. Held each year since 1980, in 2007 there were about 11,000 race participants, half of whom were from overseas....
inside four hours in 2009. It was reported that Eamon Joyce had hurt his knee and couldn't take part.
Leaders
Two males and four 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 ShowThe Gerry Ryan Show
The Gerry Ryan Show was RTÉ 2fm's mid-morning radio 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. Eamon Joyce lost four stone in total.
| Name | Age (at time of selection) |
Location | Occupation |
| Eamonn Joyce | 36 | Wicklow County Wicklow County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county... |
Chef |
| Evelyn Farrell | 37 | Westmeath County Westmeath -Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar... |
Accountant |
| Donal Looney | 42 | Tipperary County Tipperary County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local... |
Ready mix driver |
| Louise Collins | 21 | Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
Pre-school teacher |
| Ollie Hannah Murtagh | 29 | Monaghan County Monaghan County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county... |
Adult education teacher |
| Violet O'Shea | 44 | Raheny Raheny Raheny is a northern suburb of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. It is an old area, centred around an old village, and is referenced back to 570 AD but after years of light settlement, with a main village and a coastal hamlet, grew rapidly in the 20th century, and is now a mid-density... |
Taxi driver |
Experts
Four individuals sat on a panel of experts.| Name | Profession | Link |
| Dr. Eva Orsmond | Medical doctor | |
| Dr. Ian Gargan | Psychologist | |
| Karl Henry | Personal trainer | |
| Marietta Doran | Fashion stylist | |
2009 event
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.| Date | Location |
| 18 November 2008 | Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa, Galway Galway Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the... |
| 20 November 2008 | Sheraton Hotel & Spa Fota Island Resort, Cork Cork (city) Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban... |
| 24 November 2008 | Sheraton Athlone Hotel |
| 2 December 2008 | Burlington Hotel, Dublin |
The show began airing on RTÉ radio, television and online in January 2009, accompanied by The Afternoon Show
The Afternoon Show
The Afternoon Show was Raidió Teilifís Éireann's live flagship daytime show. It ran from 2004 until May 2010. The programme was dropped by RTÉ as part of its new season of television in 2010, to be replaced by two afternoon programmes 4 Daily presented by Maura Derrane and The Daily Show hosted by...
.
Experts
Three individuals sat on a panel of experts.| Name | Profession |
| Dr. Eva Orsmond | Medical doctor |
| Karl Henry | Personal trainer |
| Pat Henry | Yoga 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. The six leaders were announced on 8 December. The show ran from 8 January until 26 February on RTÉ One. The website has had over one million hits, a 41% increase on the previous year.| Name | Age (at time of selection) |
Location | Weight (at beginning of challenge) |
Target weight loss |
| Kelly Brouder | 31 | Limerick County Limerick It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC... |
14 st 13.5 lb | 2 st |
| Keith Anthony | 44 | Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
20 st 6.5 lbs | 3 st |
| Mick Boyce | 26 | Dublin County Dublin County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the... |
17 st | 2.5 st |
| Colette Cronin | 33 | Dundalk Dundalk Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations... |
14 st 11 lbs | 2 st |
| Denise Ryan | 28 | Tipperary County Tipperary County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local... |
19 st 8 lbs | 3 st |
| Jean Kelly | 47 | Dublin County Dublin County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the... |
14 st 1 lb | 1.5 st |
2010 event
OT 2010 began on television at 20:00 on RTÉ OneRTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
on January 13, 2010. For the first time politicians, including the now internationally famous Paul Gogarty
Paul Gogarty
Paul Nicholas Gogarty is a former Irish Green Party politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Dublin Mid West constituency from 2002 to 2011. He currently works as a media commentator and journalist.-Early and private life:...
, took part. Gerry Ryan appeared on The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
to discuss the programme on January 15, 2010.
Ciara Dunne (a nurse), Amanda Casey, Conor O'Connor, Anna Naughton and Penny Dwyer all participated.
They lost more than ten stones in weight between them all during the series. Deputy Seán Connick
Seán Connick
Seán Connick is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency from 2007 to 2011, and also served as a Minister of State. He was elected at the 2007 general election. He was the first TD in the history of the state to use a wheelchair.-Early and private...
shed 20 pounds. Senator Nicky McFadden
Nicky McFadden
Nicky McFadden is an Irish Fine Gael politician. She was elected as a Teachta Dála for Longford–Westmeath at the 2011 general election, and was a member of Seanad Éireann on the Administrative Panel from 2007 to 2011....
shed 22 pounds. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd
Fergus O'Dowd
Fergus O'Dowd is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Louth constituency, and the Minister of State for the NewEra Project....
shed 24½ pounds.
The final episode of the series was broadcast on 3 March 2010. The website achieved at least 3 million hits during the series.
The first three episodes of the series each attracted a 30.97 audience share.
Reviewing the finale for The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, Kevin Courtney observed the "non-stop soundtrack of classic pop songs [which] resembled a 2FM
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
show from the 1980s".
2011 event
Five people were chosen: Rachel Walker (TallaghtTallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
); Sinead Heffernan (Enfield, County Meath
Enfield, County Meath
Enfield or Innfield is a town in south County Meath, Ireland, situated between Kilcock and Kinnegad and very close to the border with County Kildare...
); Jayne Glavin (Newbridge, County Kildare
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
); Emily Piggott (Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
, County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
); Ronan Scully (Knocknacarra, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
). The series was broadcast on television from 5 January 2011. The five appeared alongside Kathryn Thomas on The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
on 14 January 2011.
2012 event
Five people were chosen: Adrian Brereton (EdenderryEdenderry, County Offaly
Edenderry is a town in the north of County Offaly, Ireland. It is near the borders with Counties Kildare, Meath and Westmeath. The Grand Canal passes immediately south of the town through the Bog of Allen and there is a short spur to the town centre....
, County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
); Natalie Cox (Crumlin
Crumlin, Dublin
Crumlin is suburb in Southside Dublin, Ireland. It is the site of Ireland's largest hospital for children.-Location:Crumlin covers the area from the River Poddle near the KCR to the Drimnagh Road, to Bunting Road, and is situated not far from the city centre, on the Southside of Dublin city....
, Dublin); Kayleigh Yeoman (Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
); Grace Batterberry (Castletownroche
Castletownroche
Castletownroche is a village on the N72 National secondary road in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. In ancient times, it was known in Irish as Dún Chruadha, meaning Cruadha's Fort...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
); Killian Byrne (Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham or Rathfarnam is a Southside suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is south of Terenure, east of Templeogue, and is in the postal districts of Dublin 14 and 16. It is within the administrative areas of both Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils.The area of Rathfarnham...
, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
).
External links
- Official sites: TV Radio
- Operation Transformation 2008 podcast