Corby youngsters shape up with Mr Motivator

The lycra-loving TV fitness guru led a workout in Corby last night and the young footballers who took part loved every minute of it.
His visit to Brooke Weston City Technology College was the first stop on a nationwide GMTV tour aimed at getting the nation fit and motivated and tackling obesity in 2009.

Looking spectacular in dazzling white trousers with a tropical fruit print, he put girls from Corby Hellenic Youth Under 11 football team through their paces.

Mr Motivator, whose real name is Derrick Evans, said: "I love working with the kids because after all I am a big kid at heart.

"Only a kid would dress the way I dress. That's what I'm doing – just having fun when it comes to exercise."

ITV cameras filmed footage of the fun as part of GMTV's war on the nation's growing waistlines.

In Corby, the number of overweight adults is above the national average according to last year's health report on the town.

And although the 56-year-old grandfather and the young players had fun at the workout, Mr Motivator had a serious message to put across.
He said: "Obesity is not just a Corby issue, it's across the whole country.

"By 2050, 90 per cent of kids will be overweight.

"That's a real serious situation and parents and kids all have a responsibility for themselves, but especially parents for their kids, to help them keep active."

Corby Hellenic Youth Football Club is in its first full season of fielding three girls' football teams.

Under-11 manager Gary Harman said: "Mr Motivator was advertised last year on GMTV.

"They said he was coming back and they were looking for people who are getting into healthy eating and fitness and we responded to the appeal.
"The girls loved it. They are absolutely over the moon about being on TV and they all want to be football stars."

One of the players, Holly Cheek, nine, of Scarborough Walk, Corby, said: "I had a great time. We trained and did some exercises.
"Some people were a bit nervous about training with a celebrity but we all enjoyed it and had fun.