Ireland's Fittest Family to air episode featuring family of 15-year-old contestant who died

Cillian Flaherty, 15, who competed in Ireland's Fittest Family. Picture: Rip.ie

The family of a teenage contestant of RTÉ's Ireland’s Fittest Family, who died last year before it was set to air, will feature in this week's episode.

15-year-old Cillian Flaherty, from Whitestown, near Blanchardstown in west Dublin, died suddenly at home on October 21, 2024.

He was due to feature in the new series, which typically runs before Christmas. However, due to the teenager's sudden death, RTÉ made the decision to delay the show.

RTÉ said the series was postponed to "honour Cillian Flaherty’s memory and provide space for his family during such a difficult time".

A statement said: "The Flaherty family have watched the series and given their full support for it to go ahead.

"We once again extend our deepest condolences to all those affected and thank our audience for their understanding."

The series, which has a viewership of about 400,000 people each week, will air on Saturday nights on RTÉ One at 6.30pm for the next number of weeks.

Cillian, who was a third-year student at Blakestown Community School, took part in the programme with his family, who are heavily involved in sport and fitness.

He was found dead in his bed at home in October. It is understood he had played a match and went to sleep, but never woke up.

It was reported at the time the teenager had no known underlying health conditions before his death and his family, friends and community were left devastated by the tragic news.

At his funeral Mass, Cillian was remembered as the "kindest soul with the biggest heart".

His brother Kian described Cillian as a “strong, good looking man who was never not grounded".  

“You were a mammy’s boy all your life. Me and Dad used to wind you up and she’d come in and say, 'you leave him alone... you stop giving out to him'."

He added: “The impact you have had on the community is overwhelming and unbelievable.  

"I’ve never seen a group of friends so big and so caring in my life."  

In a death notice on Rip.ie, Cillian was remembered as the "precious son of Paula and Paul, dear brother of Kian and Heidi" and a cherished grandson who will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours, and a "large group of good mates". 

Ireland’s Fittest Family follows 16 families and tests their speed, strength and endurance. It is supported by sporting stars Anna Geary, Sonia O'Sullivan, Donncha O'Callaghan and Davy Fitzgerald.

Filming had already been completed for the latest series before the tragic news of Cillian’s death emerged.

The series was recorded during the summer in Wicklow’s Killruddery Estate, and all the necessary editing had been completed, RTÉ had said.