Keith Anthony

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 (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. It is comparable to US television show The Biggest Loser. The fifth series, which began in January 2012, is 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". 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 (13 kg) 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 1's The John Murray Show in 2011. Ray D'Arcy will co-present the show from 2016.