In an article from this week’s Woman’s Day “King” Richard Roach has revealed he was happier prior to appearing on the show and losing all the weight.

Not because he doesn’t like being fit, skinny and healthier in general, because of the torrents of abuse he and his daughter have received since the show started airing.

I’m a tough bloke and I can take whatever is thrown at me, but the [online] abuse my daughter has received has brought me to my knees. She’s too scared to go to work because people are threatening to bash her.

One of the cited online comments includes the suggestion Amber needs a “punch to the throat”, apparently taken from Facebook.

Leaving aside the issue of moderating such comments before the contestants can see them, it does seem a little bit of an extreme reaction, even for the clear “villains” of the season. It’s important to remember that, no matter how much they might annoy you on the show, we only ever see a very carefully selected slice of their lives. Wishing harm upon them is never acceptable as they are more than just the characters we see on screen.

Richard went on to claim the show is “100 per cent fake”, citing as an example the producers covering the family’s coffee table with junk food. Presumably that was the ridiculous KFC and pizza feast we saw at one point, which I had trouble believing at the time.

Perhaps the most interesting part, for me, is that this seems a pretty fair indication that despite all their attempts to manipulate the game they have ultimately not won the grand prize? Or perhaps it’s all an elaborate ruse…

Despite being painted as the villain, Richard does not consider himself an arrogant, bullying person.

[…] I consider myself a family man, honourable, caring and generous. I had to play the game to the best of my ability – it was to save my daughter’s life, and I’m proud of that.

The internet hate machine will forget you and your daughter soon enough, Richard. Don’t fall back into old habits and you’ll end up better for the experience, even if it’s a little rough now.

(Source: Woman’s Day. Thanks for the tip, Gissy!)

Previously on The Biggest Loser everyone was in New Zealand! Richard and Amber won a ticket straight to the finale and Janet and Kirsten have a one kilogram penalty for the final weigh in.

Tonight the final four teams return to train a bunch of schoolkids. And then train their trainers. Payback’s a bitch! And then a surprise photoshoot. Going to get all glammed up again and have some fancy pictures taken by a fancy photographer. Fancy!

The final four return to Camp Biggest Loser only to find the trainers in workout gear waiting for them. Shannan welcomes them back and then says it wouldn’t be Biggest Loser without a surprise for them. Janet was hoping for at least a chance to breathe. Nope!

Time to pay back the community who’ve supported them these past few weeks. Out the back of the house is 350 school kids and their teachers and the contestants will be training them!

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Whilst being filmed exercising prior to the finale Kevin was whisked off to hospital, thanks to an irregular heartbeat. It doesn’t sound too serious, but it’s a timely reminder of the health risks involved in morbid obesity.

There’s not many more details available but perhaps we’ll learn more come Tuesday. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Kev!

[Source: News.com.au, with thanks to Gissy.]

Previously on The Biggest Loser we all went camping in New Zealand, hooray!

Well, the contestants went camping. Except for the King and Fat Princess who got to stay in a fancy lodge.

Tonight there’s some more racing ahead. Including the traditional trek with their weightloss to date packed into their backpacks. Also, even more river paddling.

Paddling three nights in a row? Oh you better believe that’s a paddlin’.

But first, SHEEP! Was beginning to suspect they weren’t even in New Zealand but then they showed some sheep which obviously proves it.

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Previously on The Biggest Loser the contestants flew to New Zealand and boy are their arms tired, ho ho ho.

Face your fears week started, alongside the traditional long race to decide the first people into finale.

Tonight the second leg of the race starts and includes both cycling and two kinds of rafting. TWO! And it looks like Janet, Kirsten or both may end up drowning in the middle of a lake after they snap in the most spectacular fashion thus far.

But it’s time to start the second leg of the race. Everyone enjoying their Queenstown adventure so far? Richard says it’s a ripsnorter and Robyn’s been facing some fears she didn’t even expect. Like the fear of Katie dragging her down. But they’ve ended the day on the high note with the swing so hopefully today’s adventure goes more smoothly.

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