‘Transformation’ leader cannot picture her wedding

A young mother planning to marry her childhood sweetheart next year is the surprise sixth Operation Transformation leader.

Sarah Campbell, 24, who weighs 15st 8lbs, has not booked a photographer for her June wedding because she does not want to imagine the pictures of herself.

More than 500 people unhappy with their weight applied to appear on the popular show, and last week 20 hopefuls were assessed for inclusion in the seventh series, which is due to be screened in January.

Fitness expert Karl Henry said room was made for an extra leader this year so the programme would be more representative.

“It was really hard to choose. They were probably the best group we ever had,” he said.

Sarah, who lives in Clane, Co Kildare, lost a son, Patrick, soon after he was born two years ago.

“I think I got to a stage where I gave up on myself,” she told RTÉ’s John Murray yesterday.

Sarah and her partner Mark have been together since they were 14.

Mr Henry said Operation Transformation would put the sparkle back in Sarah’s life.

Sarah said she would like to lose at least two stone (28lb) but really just wanted to be healthy and feel good about herself again.

The fifth leader chosen for the seventh series in January is Marc Gibbs, 44, also from Clane.

The father of five, who weighs 16st 10lbs, said weight was an issue for his entire family.

He was once a keen runner and ran in the Dublin City Marathon two years ago. Now he could not to jog around his estate.

Marc, a security guard, has always struggled with his weight and has tried many fad diets.

“I believe there is a huge emotional connection between eating habits and how you feel,” he said. “That is the way it has been for me for years. I have been up and down.”

Karl said Marc was chosen because weight was an issue in his family and he wanted to lead by example. He also said there was a risk of heart disease in Marc’s family. “With a waistline like yours — it is well over 40in — you are in the high risk category,” said Karl. “There is a direct link between waistlines and heart problems.”