PI Week 36 September 3 - September 9, 2011 Slim Chance: Fix My Family, is coming up in BBC Northern Ireland’s new autumn season of television programmes Programme Information New this week New Season - New stories from BBC Northern Ireland Page 3 BBC Northern Ireland announces a new season of television programmes Slim Chance: Fix My Family Page 5 Three families are hoping to lose some weight and unhealthy habits in a new six-part series on BBC One NI 2 New Season - New stories from BBC Northern Ireland BBC Northern Ireland announces a new season of television programmes Angie and Helen Boyle who feature in At The Crossroads on BBC One Northern Ireland this autumn BBC Northern Ireland launches a new season of programmes this autumn, with a broad range of stories that reflect life in our region and issues of interest and importance to local audiences. Ailsa Orr, BBC Northern Ireland’s Head of Programmes, said: “This autumn we are offering our audiences a wide range of new factual programmes, original new series and returning entertainment and comedy output. We believe these programmes reflect the people, their real life stories, the history and humour, the issues and themes which are relevant to Northern Ireland. “Some of the highlights include Slim Chance: Fix My Family, a new six-part reality series following the trials and tribulations of a group of families as they undergo a gruelling but potentially life-changing experiment to lose weight and overhaul their lifestyles. BBC One Northern Ireland will also broadcast a number of single films reflecting on and telling the stories of significant events in our recent history; some of which had impact beyond Northern Ireland. “At The Crossroads meets four of the mothers and daughters who were caught up in the events of the Holy Cross protest, 10 years after it shocked the world. Bombs Bullets And Business As Usual tells the story of the world’s most bombed hotel, the Europa in Belfast, with testimonies from journalists like Anne Robinson and John Sergeant who ‘all but lived’ there during the Troubles. “Film maker Alison Millar goes to the Shankill Road to explore the lives and times of The Men Who Won’t Stop Marching. For four months she joined the men of 3 Eleven-year-old aspiring drummer Jordan and his dad Jackie, who feature in The Men Who Won’t Stop Marching the marching bands and in particular spent time with Jordan, an 11-year-old aspiring drummer from one of the families on the estate. “Bloody Sunday: The Long Wait tells the emotional inside story of the events that led up to the findings of the Saville Report, the multi-million pound inquiry into Bloody Sunday which concluded on June 15, 2010, and Hume, is the latest in a series of BBC Northern Ireland documentaries describing the careers of key political figures in Northern Ireland, with exclusive access to John Hume. “Later in the autumn we will also see the return of Sketchy, starring stand-up comedian and actor Diarmuid Corr and The David Meade Project, where the incredible mentalist unleashes more tricks on the unsuspecting public. Out Of The Blue is a new eight-part series taking a look at contemporaneous arts in Northern Ireland challenging the conventional view of what an arts series should be, with presenters Graham Little and Joanne Salley and a team of five reporters travelling all over Northern Ireland to uncover the stories of the people who ensure our leisure time is as enjoyable and varied as it can be. programming with several new series for autumn, while sports fans can look forward to some great local action. The new season also sees the return of the multi awardwinning Spotlight and Spotlight Special. “Across the rest of our output BBC Northern Ireland continues in our commitment to Irish Language and Ulster-Scots “We hope this wide variety of programmes will offer something for everyone on BBC Northern Ireland.” John Hume’s life and career are the subject of the latest in a series of BBC Northern Ireland documentaries describing the careers of key political figures in Northern Ireland 4 Slim Chance: Fix My Family Three families are hoping to lose some weight and unhealthy habits in a new six-part series on BBC One NI BBC One Northern Ireland, Monday, September 5 at 7.30pm The experts, from left to right, Amanda Hamilton, Dr Raman Kapur, John Coulter and Dr Rachel Andrew hope to give three families a new body and frame of mind in Slim Chance: Fix My Family A group of three families struggling with their weight embark on a potentially life-changing experience in the new series, Slim Chance: Fix My Family. Starting on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday, September 5 at 7.30pm, this sixpart series follows the families as they take part in an intensive weight loss programme in the beautiful setting of the Fermanagh Lakelands. Slim Chance: Fix My Family captures the highs and lows experienced by each family as they throw themselves into a gruelling week-long programme where experts in nutrition, health, psychotherapy and fitness will be on hand to help them 5 Hoping for a healthier outlook on life are Armagh family Cara and Johnny Toner and children Ryan and Ellie tackle their weight issues and give them the support and guidance needed to sustain a new healthy way of life. Leading the team of professionals is nutritionist and health and wellbeing expert Amanda Hamilton. With more than 10 years’ experience in her field, Amanda will be helping the families improve their diets and will be advising them on how to live healthier lifestyles. Dr Rachel Andrew is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who specialises in the psychology of children, young adults and their families. In the series, Rachel will meeting the children and their families to discuss how they feel about themselves, their diets, their bodies, their lifestyles and their relationships with each other. Dr Raman Kapur is Chief Executive, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist with a mental health charity, running therapeutic communities within Northern Ireland. He was the former Course Director of the Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Course at Queen’s University Belfast. In Slim Chance: Fix My family, Raman will be meeting each of the adults to discuss the reasons they have found themselves leading unhealthy lifestyles in the hope of discovering a new frame of mind when it comes to their future wellbeing. are: Armagh secretary Cara Toner, 33, her two children Ryan, 12, and Ellie, 9, and her husband Johnny Toner, 35, an assistant catering and banquets manager; Portrush shop Personal trainer John Coulter will be putting the families through their paces in an effort to introduce exercise into their daily routine. With 10 years’ experience under his belt, John will be finding out each family member’s individual exercise needs and building a fitness routine around them. The families who are hoping Slim Chance: Fix My Family can help them escape the unhealthy rut they have found themselves stuck in and give them a new, fitter future Rosie Stewart, from Portrush, and her daughter Ellen are gearing up for a fitter future in Slim Chance: Fix My Family 6 Nick Thompson and his partner Isobel Cousins from Dundonald and their daughter Rachael are ready to put in the work in the intensive week-long weight loss programme the experts have planned for them owner Rosie Stewart, 45, and her 14-yearold daughter Ellen; and senior clerical officer Isobel Cousins, 45, from Dundonald, her partner Nick Thompson, 42, a watch commander for the Fire Brigade and their 10-year-old daughter Rachael. Series Producer Nicki Young says:“Shocking government health statistics show there’s an obesity epidemic sweeping across Northern Ireland. In this series, Amanda Hamilton and the experts are attempting to change the lives of three families battling with their weight. The aim is to transform their hearts, minds and bodies and put them on the road to a happier, healthier and lighter life. Slim Chance: Fix My Family is made for BBC NI by Northern Ireland independent production company Tern Television. “The format of Slim Chance: Fix My Family aims to help the whole family but especially the children, with emphasis on empowering and educating the upcoming generation.The focus is on fun, food and the psychology of what’s making us overweight. By following the progress of our volunteer families, viewers may also feel able to make simple but positive changes in their life.” 7