'Biggest Loser' eliminates first contestant

Call centre worker Sam became the first contestant eliminated from Davina McCall's Biggest Loser last night (January 3).

The 26-year-old from West Yorkshire and his partner in the competition, Damien, 21, lost out in the first challenge of the series, a 5km run, and were automatically placed up for elimination.

If they hadn't lost in the challenge, the duo would have survived as across the week the pairing shed a combined percentage weight loss of 7%. Sam lost 1st 8lbs, while Damien lost 1st 12lbs.

Damien was saved from elimination in a last-minute twist, when Davina McCall revealed that one contestant would be offered a lifeline and the chance to replace 59-year-old Geoff, who was forced to drop out due to health reasons.

Speaking about his reasons for taking part in the show before the series aired, Sam said: "The main reason I've come here is to get fit and healthy and just gain some self-confidence, because at the moment I've literally got no confidence at all. I spend a lot of time in my room and I want to be able to have the guts to go out and meet people. I want to be proud of who I am and what I look like."

Fitness trainers Richard Callender, Charlotte Ord and Rob Edmond are working with the 12 Biggest Loser contestants, who are competing to shed the most pounds while living together and taking part in a gruelling weight loss programme and five hours of exercise a day.

The Biggest Loser continues on Tuesdays at 9pm on ITV1.