BBC dismisses 1,200 complaints over ‘triggering’ programme The Restaurant That Burns Off Calories

The BBC has dismissed more than 1,200 complaints about controversial show The Restaurant That Burns Off Calories.

Presented by Fred Sirieix and Dr Zoe Williams, the one-off Horizon programme aired on BBC Two in April and saw unsuspecting diners invited to eat a meal while a secret team had to burn off every single calorie consumed at an onsite gym.

The show’s central premise was that people will eat up to 20 per cent less when shown how much exercise is required to burn off what we eat, but a number of experts suggested that it was “triggering” for eating disorder sufferers.

However, despite the BBC receiving 1,216 complaints about the show on the grounds “insensitivity to viewers with eating disorders”, the complaints were not upheld in their latest report.

The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.

As well as receiving official complaints for “promoting an unhealthy approach to food and calorie intake”, The Restaurant That Burns Off Calories was widely criticised online by social media users, many of whom claimed that the show had exacerbated bad habits during lockdown.

Director of services for eating disorder charity Beat, Caroline Price, told The Independent: “We know that the myth that all calories eaten must be cancelled out through exercise has the potential to be devastating to those suffering from or vulnerable to eating disorders.

“We would urge television commissioners to consider the impact that their programmes may have on vulnerable people, and instead focus on healthy and balanced eating.”

For anyone affected by the issues raised in this article, Beat’s Helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677.