Kathryn Thomas pens emotional blog post Operation Transformation finale
After 3,377,552 steps, 2058 kilometres, a total weight loss of 146.5 pounds weight loss and 138.5 inches, audiences said goodbye to this season of Operation Transformation.
It's been an emotional few weeks for leaders and their families but also for Kathryn Thomas, who has been by their side throughout.
In a tribute to the series, the presenter posted an emotional blog post saying she feels it’s “just the start” for Cathal, Pamela, Siobhan, Paul and Jean.
She said she believes that this series was “one of the best yet”.
The ratings have been huge, with more people than ever tuning in. After 12 years on TV, that’s a pretty good result
Adding: “I think as a nation we have really started to listen to the warning signs about our health and maybe we are finally getting our heads around the Irish obesity crisis”
“But more than that, I think people just want a connection again……They want to feel they are not on their own, whatever struggles they may be going through”
Thomas, who has presented the RTÉ show since 2011, said that it’s the connect the audience have with the show’s leaders that makes the show so popular.
“The Operation Transformation leaders connect people. They allow us into their heads, their hearts and their lives week after week, they explore their vulnerabilities and remind us all to look inside ourselves and do exactly the same.
“Building connections, whether physical or psychological, is really about building a solid support system around you. It is so important”.
Her blog went on to commend each one of this year’s leaders and described the show's 5K in the Phoenix Park as one of her highlights.
I shed more than a few tears watching them all cross the finish line. The sense of achievement, the result of all their hard work, the recognition of how far they’ve come
She also had a special mention for Jean, who stepped away from the programme early when she she found out she was seven weeks pregnant.
“We wish her all the best but I think it's clear for everyone to see, she is in a great place. If you could bottle that girls smile and positivity the world would be a better place.
“To Pam, Siobhan, Jean, Cathal and Paul, thank you for everything, go forth and conquer and always remember the reason people love you is because you are nobody else but you”.
The presenter also revealed that "a fair few celebratory scoops were had" in Coopers after the series finale was filmed.
“What happened in Coopers, stays in Coopers”.
