‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity’ – RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family opens applications for new season

RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Families is set to return to TV screens for a new season and the hit programme is looking for families to take part.

“It's a once in a lifetime experience and really something that 12 months ago, we never thought we would have done,” Daniel Stratford said.

“We're a family who are used to competing against each other in sports and stuff. But coming back from [the show], we really bonded working together,” Mr Stratford said.

Now in its twelfth year, 2fm radio host Laura Fox will return for her second series as a presenter along with Anna Geary, Davy Fitzgerald and Donncha O'Callaghan as coaches, with a fourth coach yet to be revealed.

While it’s a physically and mentally challenging series to be involved in, Mr Stratford who is from Co Cavan, said the family had watched the previous episodes and selected some of the show’s tougher events to practice.

And with €15,000 as the prize again this year, it makes sense that competing families take preparation seriously.

“We had a balance beam here at the house and a 10ft wall, we’d practice it as well,” Mr Stratford said.

“One of the events in Kilruddery a few years back was dragging the barrel up a hill so we did a bit of that,” he added.

Every family who gets through to the show works with one of the celebrity coaches. For Mr Stratford, the support that Donncha O'Callaghan gave made him an important member of the team.

“I don’t think we could have picked a better coach that worked with us so well,” Mr Stratford said.

“He had his plan, we had our plan and he wasn't afraid to link them both together to find the one that fit best. Good craic and when it came to the competition, it was all out serious,” he added.

The most challenging event, aside from the final, was the bog run, Mr Stratford said.

“The bog run was just kind of a painful brute force and ignorant kind of event,” he said. “Start it, get through it as quick as you can and finish it. [It was] very painful on the legs,” he added.

For those considering signing up, Mr Stratford said they should “100pc go for it”.

“I'd say why are you thinking about it, just go for it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and really, really good fun.

“You get to meet other like minded families into the same things, same sports. It’s a really, really good opportunity,” he said.

Application forms can be found on the RTÉ website and teams must have one male and one female member.

A team can be made up of four immediate family members or if this isn’t possible, three immediate family members and an extended family member.

The minimum age to take part is 14 years old by June 1, 2024, and filming will take place between May and mid August. Families will be needed for up to eight filming days.