The newly-formed Independent Alliance which expects to have 20 candidates in place for the general election yesterday unveiled new hopefuls who have joined its ranks.

With the eighth series of Operation Transformation about to begin, we meet the 19 hopefuls dreaming of changing their lives by participating in the hit RTÉ TV series. Rita de Brun also sat down with last year’s inspirational leader, Deirdre O’Donovan, who says the show taught her ways to battle depression and anxiety.

Jennifer Bonus believes her late husband got her over the finish line of Operation Transformation’s 5k run in Cork last weekend.

Operation Transformation leader Deirdre O’Donovan has broken her addiction to food.

Operation Transformation leader Deirdre O’Donovan, who wants to stop emotional eating, was shocked when she failed to meet her target weight yesterday.

Operation Transformation leader Marc Gibbs said the pressure of appearing on television for the hit RTÉ series caused him to suffer an anxiety attack last week.

Operation Transformation asked applicants why they wanted to be on the show. Some of the answers were very revealing:

Operation Transformation opened last night with the dreaded weigh-in.

A huge week brings the return of Take Me Out, The Voice and Operation Transformation

A former Kerry GAA star and the latest Operation Transformation leader has said his obsession with sport cost him his marriage.

A busy mum of two who admitted she was fat on national radio has been selected as an Operation Transformation leader.

“When you see someone fight so hard for their life, you can’t give up on yours,” said recently widowed Jennifer Bonus from Cork who has been selected as an Operation Transformation leader.

A Cork mother of two who wants to stop emotional eating is the first of 20 hopefuls to be selected as an Operation Transformation leader.

More than 500 people unhappy with their weight applied to become an Operation Transformation leader.

One of the country’s most under-threat women sat in a Limerick court and heard that her partner, a notorious rapist, was now a changed man since meeting her and having a child with her.