RTÉ has revealed the leaders for the first series of Celebrity Operation Transformation. For the first time we'll see celebrities taking part in the popular TV show. Comedian Katherine Lynch, solicitor Gerald Kean, Midday presenter Elaine Crowley, comedian Karl Spain and RTÉ Radio 1 reporter Brenda Donohue are confirmed to take part in the new spin-off series. Kathryn Thomas will present three one-hour episodes airing in early autumn on RTÉ One. Celebrity Operation Transformation will follow each of the celebrities for a month as they inspire viewers to get back in shape after the summer by following the OT food and fitness plan. We will get to see Katherine, Gerald, Elaine, Karl and Brenda face the scales and the experts at the weekly weigh in, and experience the highs and lows as they embark on one of their biggest challenges to date. Host Kathryn Thomas said,

“I’m delighted to be on board for this new series of Celebrity Operation Transformation. This autumn along with introducing our new celebrity leaders we will also be reigniting our Million Pound Challenge*, where we challenge the nation to lose a million pounds in weight. Each week our celebrities will be totting up the pounds they are losing and we will be adding the pounds their followers are shedding to the country’s overall total weight loss. So don’t forget to pick a celebrity to follow and start losing the pounds together. We've got a great bunch of leaders on board and I have every confidence that they will inspire the nation to get up and get moving this autumn.”

Celebrity Operation Transformation also wants to hear from groups, workplaces and communities across the country who are hosting special events to promote health and fitness weekends in September. From walks to runs, swims to cycles, they want to hear all the events you are organising to help make a difference to people’s mental and physical well-being. If you are planning something to help people get up and be active you can contact the Operation Transformation team via their email ot@rte.ie. The Operation Transformation plan starts online on the RTÉ website on Monday, 22nd August and will be supported on RTÉ Radio 1 by The Ray D’Arcy Show. Speaking about taking part, Elaine Crowley said,

“I’m always up for a challenge to be quite honest. Realistically speaking I want to get fit and I want to get consistently fit. It’s very easy to go on health kicks now and again and you can do it for a couple of weeks but I want to get myself motivated. So hopefully this will give me the tools to do it consistently and long-term. I did a 10k race in December but in April I got a bad chest infection so my fitness levels are pretty much at zero now.”

Actor and comedian Karl Spain said,

“My New Year’s resolution was to lose weight, to get healthier and I've kind of put it off... well it was my New Year’s resolution in 1994! So this is me finally catching up with myself! I have dieted loads over the years. Thirteen years ago I was going to the gym five times a week. I was three or four stone lighter than I am now and I was loving it but then I took a break for a couple of weeks and those weeks ended up being a couple of years. My weight used to fluctuate and now it’s just gone up and up. I’ve kept all my clothes from when I was skinny and I’ve a pair of white jeans I’m determined to get back into!”

Katherine Lynch added,

“I’m too heavy for my height and I feel I have two stone to lose. I’m one of these people that pays for a gym membership of €500 a year and ends up going once so it’s a very expensive hobby! I’ve watched the series and I’m a fan of the show. I’m from Leitrim and a lot of my friends have followed the Operation Transformation plan and have had really positive results. I’m hoping for the same.”

There is no official start date for the show but it's likely to be sometime in September or October. Once we know we'll update you.