Car salesman Felim from Fermanagh and Stephen Nolan
As someone who has battled with their weight for many years, Stephen Nolan is on a mission to help people across Northern Ireland with similar issues learn the secret to cooking simple, healthy and low calorie meals.
In a new six-part series, Feed Yourself Fitter with Stephen Nolan, the presenter calls upon the expertise of a different chef each week - Alex Greene, Brian McCann, Shauna Froydenlund, Michael Deane, Suzie Lee and Paula McIntyre - to show the participants that healthy food can also be full of flavour and lower in calories.
Dora from Whiteabbey and Stephen Nolan
In the first episode we meet Dora from Whiteabbey, who says her weight has been hugely impacted by recent deaths in the family. A self-confessed novice in the kitchen, the challenge is on to convince her to ditch the snacks and, most importantly, enjoy the food she’s cooked herself.
Episode two takes us to Fermanagh, where second hand cars salesman Felim is struggling to manage long working hours and healthy eating. His addiction to fast food is not only putting a strain on his health but also his relationship with fiancée Luke.
Chef Shauna Froydenlund, Caroline from Newry and Stephen Nolan
Across the series Stephen also travels to Newry to hear from busy grandmother and carehome worker Caroline, who has been battling with weight gain since she entered the menopause.
Meanwhile, Mary from Londonderry hopes that learning to make healthier options alongside Stephen in the kitchen might give her the impetus she needs to change. The cold water swimmer even samples scallops for the first time.
Mary from Londonderry and Stephen Nolan
Tait from Portstewart and Stephen Nolan
Young dad Tait from Portstewart is still struggling to shed the pounds from lockdown, and with a long daily commute to work – complete with pit stops at the nearest fast food restaurants – he can barely keep up with young son.
Stephen sees a younger version of himself in Tait and warns him not to waste his youth, and do something about his weight now while time is on his side.
In the final episode Stephen visits student nurse Jennifer, studying hard for her finals while working long hours in Craigavon Intensive Care Unit, she has little time to look after herself. Turning to convenient foods to keep the tiredness at bay, Jennifer feels guilty that she is not heeding the health advice she is dishing out to patients.
Chef Paula McIntyre, student nurse Jennifer and Stephen Nolan
Chefs Paula McIntyre, Shauna Froydenlund, Michael Deane, Brian McCann, Suzie Lee, and Alex Greene
Feed Yourself Fitter with Stephen Nolan is made by Third Street Studios and starts on BBC One Northern Ireland on Friday 19 May, 7.30pm.
The full series will also be available on BBC iPlayer.