Jordan Banjo vows to help slimmers drop weight on new TV show after shedding 7 stone
Jordan Banjo, who rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent with his dance troupe Diversity, is set to front a new Channel 4 series about losing weight healthily
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Diversity star Jordan Banjo has vowed to help super-slimmers on his new Channel 4 weight loss TV show after revealing he used humour to hide his anguish about overeating as a child to cope with racist bullying.
Jordan, and his brother Ashley, shot to fame after their dance troupe won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
He took part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016 and last year presented BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer alongside Alesha Dixon, 42.
Jordan said: “I’m going to be the co-host of a new weight loss programme with Dr Sara Kayat called Lose Weight Like Me.
“This will see people who want to shed some pounds pair up with a previously successful slimmer.
“It’s something I’m really passionate about and I’ll be really involved in the weight loss journey.
“I’ll offer tips and advice based on my own personal experiences.”
The 27-year-old, who presents the Kiss FM breakfast show with Diversity pal and Dancing On Ice runner-up Perri Kiely, 24, saw his weight soar when he was picked on because of his mixed race heritage.
Jordan said: “I lost seven stone after winning BGT.
“I was still a kid and halfway through my GCSEs at the time.
“My weight ballooned as I used comfort eating as a way to cope with racist bulling I was experiencing at the time.
“I made friends with the dinner lady and would have three dinners at lunch.
“I was confident – being in the group meant I could blend in – but I suffered, and that’s where my humour came from.”
Diversity have been one of the most talked about acts in showbiz this year after their politically charged BGT performance in September saw them take the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The emotionally charged routine, which was choreographed by Ashley, 32, referenced events that have taken place around the world this year including the death of George Floyd, who was killed after being arrested by a police officer.
Dancing On Ice judge Ashley switched over to fill in for Simon Cowell, 61, after he broke his back.
ITV showed their commitment to the street dancers after around 24,500 complaints were made to Ofcom.
They took out full-page newspaper adverts after their BGT performance aired which read: “We are changed by what we see.
“Just as we are changed when we are seen. ITV stands with Diversity.”
They also issued a statement saying: “ITV stands behind the decision to broadcast Diversity’s performance on BGT.
“Ashley and the group are a great example of the talent, creativity and diversity of modern Britain and their performance was an authentic, heartfelt response to many of the issues and events which have affected society in 2020.”
MirrorCeleb