Fat Friends
A Drama To Diet For
Fat Friends is an ITV drama created by Kay Mellor, broadcast from 12 October 2000 to 24 March 2005. It follows a group of overweight people, their laughter and pain and addresses the absurdities of dieting in our modern age. It examines people and how they relate to one another and use body weight as an excuse for all sorts of failings in their relationships, or not living their lives to the full. Four cast members—Ruth Jones, James Corden, Sheridan Smith, and Alison Steadman—went on to appear in Gavin & Stacey.
Seasons
1. Love Me Slender
Air Date: 2000-10-12
Kelly Simpson is determined to get in her two-sizes-too-small wedding dress in time for her big day. Meanwhile, at the slimming club, her mum, Betty, has won through to the regional finals of Superslimmers 2000, even though her husband isn't that happy about her losing weight.
2. Fat Chance
Air Date: 2000-10-19
Alan Ashburn is losing weight for his 20th wedding anniversary celebrations but a romantic meal out with his wife ends in their relationship crumbling.
3. Fat Free
Air Date: 2000-10-26
Lauren Harris has won a role in a soap she's convinced that losing five pounds would make her a better actress. However, problems arise with not only her mum, who is convinced she's anorexic, but also her boyfriend Gareth, whose nickname for her is "Pudding".
4. Growing Pains
Air Date: 2000-11-02
Teenage Superslimmer Jamie reveals the reasons for his depressed state: his mother is battling depression and he's being bullied at school. Eventually, Jamie decides he can't cope with the pressure and contemplates suicide.
5. Face the Fat
Air Date: 2000-11-09
Val prepares to launch her new magazine, but the quest for something trendy to wear and a call to an escort agency for a partner to attend the bash produce further revelations about the slimming world – and herself.
6. When the Fat Lady Sings
Air Date: 2000-11-16
Kelly spends the night at the club, but the slimming pills and alcohol make her lose all inhibitions. Kevin tries to find out why he was kept in the dark about the photo session. Meanwhile, there's shocking news for Betty when she tries to collect a prescription.
1. Full Belly
Air Date: 2002-09-05
Carol faces her own problems when her husband leaves, leaving her alone with her son. Things take a darker turn when she decides to go on a diet.
2. Peaches and Dreams
Air Date: 2002-09-12
Now unemployed, Lauren is seeking Mr Right after splitting up with commitment-phobic Gareth. What's not helpful is her sister's happy marriage and pregnancy making Lauren all too aware of her single status.
3. Forty and In-Faturated
Air Date: 2002-09-19
Birthday blues are the least of Val's problems. Mistrust, jealousy, and insecurity turn her world upside down after she confronts her male escort lover about what he gets up to with his clients.
4. Sweet and Sour
Air Date: 2002-09-26
The arrival of divorce papers send Alan's blood pressure rocketing, with the result that he fails a medical and loses his job.
5. Sticky Fingers
Air Date: 2002-10-03
Jamie thinks his fortunes have changed when he makes the acquaintance of secondhand car dealer Craig. He spends his birthday money on flash clothes and a mobile phone in a desperate bid to fit in with Craig's friends, but soon realises his new friend is a shady operator with a criminal past — can his policeman father help him cut his ties with the shady crowd?
6. In Full Bloom
Air Date: 2002-10-10
Despite being overweight, Rebecca Patterson is generally content with life – particularly with her job as assistant manager at a garden centre that allows her to work alongside the man she secretly adores. But the shy and retiring twentysomething's cosy world is shattered by the return of a figure from her past, who proceeds to subject her to cruel psychological tortures.
7. Hunger Pangs
Air Date: 2002-10-17
Betty's already stressful life takes another twist when her childhood sweetheart joins the slimming club, prompting the return of long-suppressed feelings and revelations about a dark secret from her past.
1. Eat Your Heart Out
Air Date: 2004-01-01
It's Christmas Eve, but the Simpson household isn't filled with joy. Betty can't stop thinking about meeting the son she gave up for adoption when she was just 15.
2. Leggs Over Easy
Air Date: 2004-01-07
Still coping with the revelations of her mum's past, problems arise in Kelly's marriage—resulting in her sleeping with her husband Kevin's gay brother. When all is revealed, things worsen, especially as Kelly learns she's pregnant! But who is the father?
3. Food for Thought
Air Date: 2004-01-14
Carol faces problems when she realises she has fallen for fitness instructor Max, which raises new troubles with her teenage son.
4. Bacon, Bagels and the Bishop
Air Date: 2004-01-21
Lauren has the chance to make all her acting dreams come true — but at the price of losing everything and everybody that matters. Can she get back her friends when she needs them most?
5. Afters
Air Date: 2004-01-28
Rebecca decides it is time to leave home. Her boyfriend Sean is keen to help with the move, but her break for independence is short-lived when tragedy strikes and Norma needs support.
6. Food of Love
Air Date: 2004-02-04
Jamie's love life picks up when his feelings for a beautiful woman are returned. However, obstacles fall into place, including her daughter and she's got an ex-con ex-boyfriend. The gang head back to Trisha for their final weigh-in. While Jamie provides the catering, Kelly gives birth to a baby boy.
1. Enough to Go Around
Air Date: 2005-02-17
The group return from the Spanish vacation they won from Trisha. Betty can't wait to get home to see her long-lost son Simon, and Kelly struggles between raising her baby and helping Kevin run the fish and chip shop.
2. Second Helpings
Air Date: 2005-02-24
Feeling abandoned by her mum and with her marriage on the rocks, Kelly flees the shop and leaves Kevin alone with the baby. With Max's influence, she decides to take extra aerobic courses, all while trying to resist his charming temptations. Meanwhile, Kevin gets unexpected help from a pretty bystander in the chip shop, adding to Kelly's temperament.
3. Angel's Delight
Air Date: 2005-03-03
Norma throws herself into pensioner speed-dating and, after two glasses of wine, decides to advertise herself on the local radio lonely hearts phone-in. It's not long before a queue of eligible men forms around the block but it's dashing Eddie who captures her heart. Bowling, dancing, and romancing ensue—and soon a weekend in Filey is on the cards. But is Eddie all he seems?
4. Get Out of the Kitchen
Air Date: 2005-03-10
Claire and her little girl have moved in with Jamie, but are her feelings of sickness more than just a dodgy curry? The barmaid at Woody's seems to know the answer and so much more, as she doesn't even know Claire by that name. Rebecca suspects the truth, but keeps her mouth shut until it's too late.
5. Healthy Options
Air Date: 2005-03-17
The friends head off for a free health spa weekend. Carol has done a dodgy deal as all of a sudden the group are booked for a sketchy photo shoot. Max and Carol flirt what ends up a bit more then both suspected. Carol learns about Max's past and decides not to go with him. Lauren has decided that this is her chance to get beautified before the wedding, and Norma seems more intent on eating the fruit then wearing it.
6. Icing on the Cake
Air Date: 2005-03-24
Lauren's wedding day approaches; she's always been the skinniest of the bunch but not without problems. Having found her dream man in vicar Paul, she also gets a shot at fame as a weathergirl. Only Paul seems jealous of her success, while her parents refuse to attend. She's got a fabulous frock and a man willing to sacrifice for her... Can she get her happy ending?
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Rating
7.7/10
Release Date
2000-10-12
Episodes
25 (4 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Production Companies
Yorkshire Television
Tiger Aspect
Rollem Productions