End of an era for Laois doctors as RTÉ takes scalpel to Operation Transformation

The annual appearance of two Laois health experts on Ireland's TV screens as part of Operation Transformation is no more with confirmation that RTÉ is axing OT after nearly two decades.

RTÉ said that it undertakes an editorial review of the series each year to ensure the audience is being best served and to refresh and renew its programming. It said the decision on Operation Transformation was communicated some weeks ago to those involved including the experts and stakeholders.

Portarlington-based clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy has been a central cog in the show's success over the years and he was joined in recent years by Portlarlington GP Dr Sumi Dunne. She joined the series in 2019.

The series came to Laois in 2023 when it was based in Stradbally and featured ad-break challenges around the county. More below picture.

RTÉ said the series, which kicked off in 2008, initially saw presenter Gerry Ryan select hopefuls on his RTÉ 2FM radio show, following them as they attempted to reshape and reboot their lives, guided by experts in the fields of nutrition, weight loss and psychology.

RTÉ said there have been dozens of leaders from all over Ireland, bidding to improve their health and wellbeing and checking in on a weekly basis with the panel of experts, and inspiring thousands of viewers at home to follow their lead and their plans.

The series evolved considerably over the years with recent series encompassing a more holistic approach to adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as losing weight.  In recent series, leaders underwent a weekly health check-in where various additional health indicators were monitored.

Presenter Kathryn Thomas said: "It has been an incredible privilege to be a part of Operation Transformation for the past 14 years and I am so so proud of the legacy the show is leaving behind. To be able to shine a national spotlight on the importance of looking after our health through our amazing leaders, ordinary people living ordinary lives, who opened up their hearts and homes in the most extraordinary ways. Every single one of you inspired me. And I learnt so much from all our incredible experts down through the years too. It's been one hell of a journey! MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"I know there will be so many people who will miss OT when January rolls around. I will too!! But keep the momentum going in your communities, your GAA clubs, your local Park Runs, That is where the support is when you need it. I, for one, will continue to vocalise the importance of prioritising health wherever I can too. Thank you to RTÉ for trusting me at the helm for all these years and I look forward to the exciting new projects ahead in 2025".

RTÉ will announce a new series for January 2025 later in the year.