6 January (2010-01-06) – 30 December 2010 (2010-12-30)
Fat Families is a documentaryreality 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]
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
Episode
Family
Original airdate
1
The Cuff family
6 January 2010
Steve visits the Cuff family in Telford. Anne loses 28 pounds, Mike loses 28 pounds, and Tarnya loses 49 pounds.
2
The Jeapes family
13 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.
3
The Huzzey family
20 January 2010
Steve visits the Huzzey family in Chelmsford. Phil loses 48 pounds, Jan loses 49 pounds, and Kaleigh loses 24 pounds.
4
The Radford family
27 January 2010
Steve visits the Radford family in Blackpool. Lou loses 13 pounds and Steve (Radford) loses 11 pounds. Steve loses 14 pounds, but puts weight back on. Neither Lou or Steve fully engage with the process. Steve died from a dilated cardiomyopathy on 26 July 2011.[4]
5
The Blackholly family
3 February 2010
Steve visits the Blackholly family in Wiltshire. Toni loses 38 pounds and Neil loses 60 pounds.
6
The Haddrell family
10 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
Episode
Family
Original airdate
1
The Joell-Ireland family
25 October 2010
2
The Turner family
26 October 2010
3
The Gunning family
27 October 2010
4
The Parker family
1 November 2010
5
Jasette, Ladonna, Sharlene and Tracey
2 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.
6
The D'Arcier family
3 November 2010
Steve visits the D'Arcier family in North Yorkshire. Michelle loses 18 pounds and Bridget loses 17 pounds.
7
The Brookes family
8 November 2010
Steve visits the Brookes family in Liverpool. Clare loses 27 pounds and Andrew loses 50 pounds
8
The Middleton family
15 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]
