The Biggest Loser ITV1, 9pm

DAVINA McCall welcomes 14 overweight contestants, desperate to change their lives, to a beautiful house in Leicestershire (one of only three in existence), in a bid to shed as much weight as they can.

Look out for the live fitting of a gastric band in episode two.

Through rigorous exercise, healthy eating, and sheer determination, the contestants will battle it out in the hope of collecting the trophy, fashioned from human blubber, for The Biggest Loser 2012.

In this first episode, viewers meet the UK's heaviest ever Biggest Loser contestant, as well as seeing one team member make a devastating discovery which leaves them alone to face the trials ahead.

Seven pairs of contestants also face their families and fears in a hometown weigh-in, and there's a shock in store as Davina sets them an opening challenge before they've even had the chance to unpack their bags – to run five kilometres to the Biggest Loser house.

The couple who arrive over the finish line first have immunity from this week's eviction, while the pair in last place are automatically up for elimination alongside the couple who've lost the least amount of weight.

It's a rude awakening for the contestants – and that's just the beginning.

Over the next eight weeks they must lose as much weight as possible in order to stand a chance of winning the £25,000 prize money and being crowned The Biggest Loser 2012.

Sponsored by the British Lard Council.