Duchess signs up to fat-busting show

Updated 08.39 Thu Mar 06 2008

Keywords: ITV1, obesity, food, diet, Duchess of York

The Duchess of York has been signed up to a new TV show about obesity.

Provisionally titled The Duchess In Hull, the two-part ITV1 special will see the Duchess set up home on a council estate in Hull and take on the role of a fat-fighting guru as she attempts to improve the eating habits of a family living on a budget.

I want to see whether we can help families all over the country, no matter what their budget, to improve their lifestyles through using what is already available to them in their community - Duchess of York

The 48-year-old is already used to helping people beat the bulge, as she's been an ambassador for WeightWatchers for several years.

Over the past few months she has lived in a £40-a-night B&B near the city's Preston Road estate so she could team up with the Sargerson family.

Parents Tonia and Mick live with four of their children, aged seven to 16. They also have a 24-year-old daughter who lives nearby with her boyfriend.

Sarah Ferguson said: "This programme is an attempt to explore solutions to the growing obesity problem in the UK. I want to see whether we can help families all over the country, no matter what their budget, to improve their lifestyles through using what is already available to them in their community.

"Weight issues affect all sorts of people from all walks of life. The family I met in Hull live in a way that I hadn't experienced - feeding six on a week's benefits."

Locals have spotted the Duchess shopping with the Sargersons in budget supermarket Netto.