Gerald Kean has slammed claims made by Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh that Operation Transformation engages in fat-shaming.
The solicitor has been taking part in the celebrity version of the weight loss show and since it started two weeks ago, he has lost a staggering 1stone 9lbs. However, despite the show getting such impressive results from contestants, Bláthnaid spoke out saying she believes the show is guilty of body-shaming it’s contestants.
“I call it fat shaming – and I don’t think there’s any need. There is no need to fat shame people,” Bláthnaid said.
Gerald was quick off the mark to speak out in support of the show following her controversial comments and he also said he doesn’t have a problem going out shirtless as he thinks it’s realistic and symbolic of the huge obesity crisis Ireland is facing.
“I think it’s a fantastic show, it’s all about encouragement and staying positive,” he told The Irish Mirror. “I don’t see any problem with it (going shirtless).
“If I came out in a suit I’d look in great shape because I’m hiding it. This way you can see the belly – it’s identifying with tens of thousands of obese people out there who are in the same boat. If I was watching a fitness programme and they all had six packs and were a size 4, 6, 8 or whatever I could not identify with that, they are not real people to me.”
Gerald went on to say that since going onto the show he’s received only positive comments about the show and viewers have gone out of their way to tell him how much they love the weight loss programme.
“I’ve had people coming up to me non-stop congratulating me and telling me how uplifting they find the show,” he said. “I didn’t watch it before I took part but I certainly wouldn’t miss it from now on because I don’t want to go off track. I got 3,700 communications this week and not one of them was negative.”
We can’t wait to see how Gerald gets on in this week’s episode of Operation Transformation!
