How a Leeds slimming club became a British television staple

History · Published 5 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2000, a new drama arrived on ITV, centering on the lives of members at a weight-loss group. Created by Kay Mellor, the series explored the profound ways body weight impacts identity, set against the backdrop of a community struggling with the 'Super Slimmers' diet.

Set in the Headingley district of Leeds, Fat Friends followed the interconnected lives of various club members. The group was led by the formidable Carol, played by Janet Dibley, who attempted to guide her members through the rigors of the 'Super Slimmers' diet. While the show featured a rotating cast of characters, each episode typically focused on the personal journey of a single individual, allowing for deep dives into their specific struggles and triumphs.

The series spanned four seasons, airing 25 episodes between 12 October 2000 and 24 March 2005. The ensemble cast featured notable performers, including Ruth Jones as Kelly Chadwick, Lisa Riley as Rebecca Patterson, and David Harewood as Max Robertson. The show's impact was recognized through several award nominations, including Best Actress for Alison Steadman and Best Drama Series for creators Kay Mellor, Greg Brenman, and David Reynolds. It even served as an early platform for talent like James Corden, who received an On-Screen Network Newcomer nomination.

Beyond the television screen, the property evolved into a stage musical. On 7 November 2017, the Grand Theatre in Leeds hosted the first performance of this adaptation, which features music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber and was scripted and directed by Mellor. The production, starring Jodie Prenger, later toured the United Kingdom. The show's physical legacy remains a curiosity of media history; the first series was uniquely released on VHS, and while various DVD box sets were released in early 2005, most are now out-of-print, and the fourth series has never seen a DVD release.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How a teenage mother became one of Britain's most prolific television drama creators
• Why a simple story about two pensioners became a global television phenomenon
• From barrister to television icon: the turbulent life of Clarissa Dickson Wright
• How a Bradford fitness instructor became a mainstay of British television
• A raw, honest look at teenage mental health in 1990s Lincolnshire
• A neighborhood fire brigade inspired one of Turkey's oldest football clubs
• The brief, tumultuous tenure of Destiny's Child's replacement member
• From secret payments to European glory: the dramatic rise of Fatih Terim
• How a computer scientist helped secure the internet before the world knew the threats
• The stadium built to honor the fallen, now defined by a giant rock 'M'
• A terminal office worker finds a second chance building a thriving fantasy society
• The unpredictable Colombian striker known as the octopus of football

More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics