Losing weight also makes you smile and improves your eyesight, apparently!

The series, which ran daily throughout eight weeks on ITV daytime, saw Kevin Sage win the life-changing programme in June 2009 by losing a staggering 9 stone and 6lbs.

The new series of eight, hour-long programmes is due to transmit early in 2011 in a peak-time slot and has been commissioned by Alison Sharman, Director of Factual, Daytime and GMTV. The Series Editor at Shine TV is Paolo Proto and the Executive Producers are Creative Director, Entertainment Lisa Perrin and Karen Smith.

Shine TV Joint Managing Director, Karen Smith, said: “Despite its cheeky title, “The Biggest Loser” is a hugely positive series which genuinely transforms people’s lives for the better. Last year’s winner Kevin has maintained his weight loss and has just completed the London Marathon while Jodie Prenger who won a previous series went on to appear as Nancy on the hit BBC Show, I’d Do Anything, when her weight loss gave her a new-found confidence.”

Alison Sharman, said: “This is a one of the great formats of recent years. It is a wonderfully entertaining watch, with powerful and inspirational stories at its heart. I am delighted that an ITV prime time audience will now be able to enjoy it.”

The Biggest Loser on ITV Daytime saw16 overweight people put through a vigorous change in diet and intense exercising regime over eight weeks in an attempt to lose weight and change their lives.

At the end of each week, contestants that lost the least amount of weight in the preceding seven days face elimination, and one of them will go home. After the eight weeks are up, all of the remaining contestants are sent home where they must carry on their new dietary and fitness programmes in preparation for the grand finale, which happens eight to ten weeks after leaving the house. There, the contestants are all weighed again and the person who has lost the most weight wins the title of “The Biggest Loser” and a cash prize.

This will be the fourth series to hit UK screens after two series for Living in 2005 and 2006, and last year’s series for ITV1.

The Biggest Loser has been sold to more than 90 territories worldwide with 28 locally produced versions. In the US, nine seasons of the series have been produced with over 185 episodes aired, while the Australian show in its fifth season with more than 300 episodes aired.