The Biggest Loser (Australian TV series)
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Reality television |
| Founded | February 13, 2006 |
| Founder | Shine Australia |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Fiona Falkiner (host since 2015), Ajay Rochester (host 2006–09), Hayley Lewis (host 2010–14), Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, Steve Willis, Tiffiny Hall, Libby Babet (trainers) |
| Products | Reality TV show |
| Website | 10play |
The Biggest Loser is an Australian reality TV program adapted from the original American format, produced by Shine Australia and aired on Network Ten. Since 2015, the show has been hosted by former contestant Fiona Falkiner, who took over from previous hosts Ajay Rochester (2006–09) and Olympian Hayley Lewis (2010–14).
The series debuted on 13 February 2006. Season two began broadcasting on 4 February 2007 and introduced trainers Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, and Steve Willis. The third season premiered on 3 February 2008, followed by a fourth season starting on 1 February 2009 featuring competing couples as teams. The fifth season launched on 31 January 2010 with Hayley Lewis as host, while trainer Tiffiny Hall joined the cast in 2011. Trainer Libby Babet was added in the eleventh season.
The show ended in 2017 and was not renewed for 2018 due to a drop in viewership.
About the series
This series showcases contestants who are overweight striving to achieve the greatest percentage of weight loss, with participants and teams voting each other off. Unlike the American edition, weight reductions are tracked in tenths of kilograms.
Personal trainers Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, Steve Willis, and Tiffiny Hall provide coaching to contestants. Michelle and Shannan have served as primary trainers since Season 2; the original American trainers only appeared during Season 1 and as guest trainers in Seasons 2 and 3.
Filming locations for Seasons 1 through 3 were based in Terrey Hills, New South Wales. The Walk challenge was held at Bobbin Head within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Season 4 commenced filming on Fitzroy Island in Queensland before relocating to North Head, Sydney.
Series overview
| Season | Title | Episodes | Original broadcast | Prize | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere | Finale | |||||
| 1 | TBL | 53 | 13 February 2006 | 27 April 2006 | $200,000 | |
| 2 | TBL 2 | 68 | 4 February 2007 | 26 April 2007 | ||
| 3 | TBL 3 | 74 | 3 February 2008 | 1 May 2008 | ||
| 4 | Couples | 75 | 1 February 2009 | 27 April 2009 | ||
| 5 | Couples 2 | 67 | 31 January 2010 | 18 April 2010 | $400,000 | |
| 6 | Families | 53 | 30 January 2011 | 2 May 2011 | $100,000 (individual contestant) $100,000 (family with highest percentage weight loss) | |
| 7 | Singles | 72 | 23 January 2012 | 8 May 2012 | $220,000 | |
| 8 | The Next Generation | 34 | 17 March 2013 | 28 May 2013 | $200,000 | |
| 9 | Challenge Australia | 34 | 19 January 2014 | 13 April 2014 | $75,000 | |
| 10 | Families 2 | 39 | 13 September 2015 | 8 December 2015 | $100,000 (individual contestant) $100,000 (family with highest percentage weight loss) | |
| 11 | Transformed | 28 | 14 March 2017 | 1 May 2017 | $50,000 (greatest weight loss) $100,000 (audience vote) | |
Champions
| Season | Competitor | Age | Initial Weight (kg) | Final Weight (kg) | Total Weight Reduction (kg) | Percentage of Weight Lost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adriano "Adro" Sarnelli | 26 | 136.5 | 85.2 | 51.3 | 37.58% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Chris Garling | 23 | 149.5 | 79.4 | 70.1 | 46.89% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Sam Rouen | 19 | 154.6 | 82.9 | 71.7 | 46.48% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Bob Herdsman | 57 | 167.8 | 80.2 | 87.6 | 52.21% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Lisa Hose | 41 | 121.9 | 65.7 | 56.2 | 46.10% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Emma Duncan | 25 | 133.9 | 71.8 | 62.1 | 46.38% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Westren Family | 23–53 | 470.6 | 277.2 | 193.4 | 41.10% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Margie Cummins | 34 | 159.1 | 85.9 | 73.2 | 46.01% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Robyn Dyke | 45 | 112.1 | 73.1 | 39.0 | 34.88% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Katie Dyke | 19 | 136.8 | 89.2 | 47.6 | 34.80% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Craig Booby | 34 | 183.4 | 103.3 | 79.8 | 43.51% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Biggest Loser Australia season10 10
Daniel Jofre 24 132 80 52 39% - The Jofre Family 24–42 580 371 209 36% - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan=20>[[ The biggest loser australia season11 ] ]
Brett smith 40 116 82 34 29 Lynton della rosa 27 124 81 43 34 Presenters and Coaches
Season 1 (2006)This Australian version was broadcast on Network Ten from 13 February to 27 April 2006, offering a grand prize of A$200,000. Under the direction of Ian Stevenson, the show featured American trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, alongside Australian presenter Ajay Rochester. Out of more than 6,000 hopefuls, 12 participants were chosen, with initial weights spanning from 101 kg up to 196 kg. Season 2 (2007)The second installment premiered on the Ten Network on 4 February 2007. Chris Garling emerged victorious after shedding 70.1 kg and earning the A$200,000 prize. While US trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels began the season, Australian trainers Michelle Bridges and Shannan Ponton took over, joined by surprise coach "Commando" Steve Willis. Contestants entered with weights between 108 kg and 216 kg. This season introduced "The Walk," a challenge granting immunity winners significant power in the competition. A covert weigh-in revealed two "outsiders," Chris and Kimberlie, who trained remotely with the Commando before officially joining. Chris’s impressive weight loss ranked him as the third largest loser early on and ultimately led him to win the season. Season 3 (2008)Season 3 debuted on 3 February 2008, maintaining the familiar format and a $200,000 prize pool. Trainers Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, and Steve Willis returned along with US trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels coaching a competing American team. Contestants’ starting weights ranged from 111 kg to 206 kg. Applications opened following Season 2’s conclusion. Among the contestants, university student Sam Rouen became the youngest champion in the program’s history. Season 4 (2009)Announced in June 2008, Season 4 adopted a couples format featuring ten pairs competing together based on their personal relationships. Filming locations shifted from the White House in Duffy's Forest—relocated due to neighbor complaints—to Fitzroy Island in Queensland and Sydney. The season launched on 1 February 2009 with participant weights between 102 kg and 178 kg. On 27 April, Bob Herdsman claimed victory at age 57, becoming the oldest winner while losing a record-breaking 87.6 kilograms (52.2%). This marked Ajay Rochester’s final season as host. Season 5 (2010)The fifth season, also a couples competition, began filming in mid-January and premiered on Ten on 31 January 2010. Hayley Lewis took over hosting duties from Ajay Rochester, with trainers Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, and Steve Willis returning. Contestant Deryck James Ward and his sister exited the show after Ward faced child pornography charges; all footage involving them was removed prior to broadcast. Ward subsequently received a two-year prison sentence. The grand prize started at $200,000 but could be doubled to $400,000 through the Double bracelet feature. However, Chris Galea’s departure during Week 6’s Temptation challenge reduced the prize by $15,000. On 18 April 2010, Lisa Hose won The Biggest Loser for that year, securing $185,000 which doubled to $370,000 thanks to her Double bracelet—making her the first female winner of the series. Season 6 (2011)The sixth installment, named The Biggest Loser Australia: Families, debuted on 30 January 2011. This season featured teams composed of four relatives each, with groups including the Westrens, Challenors, Duncans, and Moons. Emma Duncan emerged as the winner of the 2011 season, achieving a weight reduction of 62.1 kg (46.38%). Sharlene Westren secured the $20,000 prize awarded to eliminated contestants. The Westren family earned the title of Biggest Losing Family and collectively received $100,000 alongside Emma. Season 7 (2012)Returning to its original format of individual competitors, Season 7, titled The Biggest Loser Australia: Singles, premiered on 23 January 2012. Despite facing competition from programs like The Big Bang Theory and the Australian Open, it garnered moderate viewership with an audience of 897,000 at launch. Margie Cummins claimed victory by shedding 73.2 kg (46.01%), winning $220,000. Although the initial prize fund was set at $250,000, it was reduced by $30,000 following James Moore’s departure during Week 2's Temptation challenge. Lydia Hantke was awarded the $20,000 eliminated contestants prize. Season 8 (2013)In August 2012, Network Ten announced the return of The Biggest Loser Australia for its eighth season in 2013 under the title "The Next Generation," featuring teams made up of parents and children. Trainer Tiffiny Hall did not participate this season. Premiering on 17 March, episodes aired on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. This season introduced Kevin Moore, the heaviest contestant in the global history of the franchise at 255 kg (562 lbs). The winners were Robyn and Katie Dyke. Season 9 (2014)At the conclusion of season eight, it was revealed that a ninth season called The Biggest Loser: Challenge Australia would air in 2014. This season commenced on 19 January and was won by Craig Booby. Season 10 (2015)In April 2015, Network Ten confirmed a late-2015 return for the tenth season, titled TBL Families. Former contestant Fiona Falkiner replaced Hayley Lewis as host. Trainers Bridges, Ponton, Willis, and Hall all returned for this edition. The season launched on 13 September 2015. Daniel Jofre won the competition and received $100,000, while his family earned an additional $100,000 for achieving the greatest combined weight loss. Season 11 (2017)Named "The Biggest Loser: Transformed", the eleventh season premiered on 14 March 2017 with Shannon Ponton returning as trainer alongside newcomer Libby Babet. Previous trainers Michelle Bridges, Steve "Commando" Willis, and Tiffany Hall did not return. Fiona Falkiner resumed her role as host. Music
SoundtrackReleased on 17 March 2007, the official soundtrack features artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Fatboy Slim, The Black Eyed Peas, and Shakira.
BookThe Biggest Loser: Change Your Life is a paperback released by Hardie Grant Trade on 1 March 2007. It presents workout plans, nutritious diets, and meal strategies inspired by those followed by the show's participants. The publication also contains motivational insights from season two trainers Shannon Ponton and Michelle Bridges, as well as advice from former contestants of season one. The content is organized into three sections: Ready, which provides an overview of exercise routines and dietary plans; Set, featuring more than 60 wholesome recipes alongside comprehensive workout instructions; and Go. It details programs including a two-week "KickStart Plan" and a three-month "LifeStyle Program." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||