| Genre: | Drama |
| Creator: | Kay Mellor |
| Runtime: | 60 minutes (per episode) |
| Opentheme: | "Perfect 10", performed by The Beautiful South |
| Network: | ITV |
| Composer: | Mark Russell |
| Language: | English |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Num Series: | 4 |
| Num Episodes: | 25 |
Fat Friends is a British drama that aired on ITV from 12 October 2000 to 24 March 2005, consisting of 25 episodes over four series. Set in Leeds, the series explores the lives of several slimming club members, with a focus on the various ways their weight has impacted upon them.
The series was created by Kay Mellor and made by Rollem Productions in association with Tiger Aspect Productions and Yorkshire Television. Four of the cast – Ruth Jones, James Corden, Sheridan Smith and Alison Steadman – went on to appear in the sitcom Gavin & Stacey. Jonathan Ryland who played Kevin, the husband to Ruth Jones' character also appeared in Gavin and Stacey as the celebrant who presided when Pete and Dawn renewed their wedding vows.
Fat Friends is set around a slimming club in the Headingley district of Leeds. The club is run by the formidable Carol (Janet Dibley), who fruitlessly tries to persuade the members of the group to follow the "Super Slimmers" diet. The characters who attend the club are from varied backgrounds and of varied weight. Whilst some plots continue throughout all four series, each episode focuses on one particular character.
| Episode No. | Airdate | Total Viewers[1] | ITV Weekly Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 12 October 2000 | 10,370,000 | 13 | |
| 1.2 | 19 October 2000 | 8,660,000 | 16 | |
| 1.3 | 26 October 2000 | 9,190,000 | 16 | |
| 1.4 | 2 November 2000 | 9,140,000 | 15 | |
| 1.5 | 9 November 2000 | 8,790,000 | 16 | |
| 1.6 | 16 November 2000 | 9,610,000 | 16 |
| Episode No. | Airdate | Total Viewers | ITV Weekly Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 5 September 2002 | 7,810,000 | 16 | |
| 2.2 | 12 September 2002 | 7,260,000 | 14 | |
| 2.3 | 19 September 2002 | 7,280,000 | 12 | |
| 2.4 | 26 September 2002 | 6,610,000 | 16 | |
| 2.5 | 3 October 2002 | 6,450,000 | 18 | |
| 2.6 | 10 October 2002 | 6,990,000 | 15 | |
| 2.7 | 17 October 2002 | 7,020,000 | 16 |
| Episode No. | Airdate | Total Viewers | ITV Weekly Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 1 January 2004 | 6,470,000 | 23 | |
| 3.2 | 7 January 2004 | 7,360,000 | 19 | |
| 3.3 | 14 January 2004 | 7,470,000 | 18 | |
| 3.4 | 21 January 2004 | 7,540,000 | 17 | |
| 3.5 | 28 January 2004 | 8,690,000 | 22 | |
| 3.6 | 4 February 2004 | 7,240,000 | 22 |
| Episode No. | Airdate | Total Viewers | ITV Weekly Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | 17 February 2005 | 6,560,000 | 18 | |
| 4.2 | 24 February 2005 | 7,510,000 | 15 | |
| 4.3 | 3 March 2005 | 7,030,000 | 19 | |
| 4.4 | 10 March 2005 | 5,600,000 | 20 | |
| 4.5 | 17 March 2005 | 6,050,000 | 20 | |
| 4.6 | 24 March 2005 | 5,790,000 | 19 |
Region 2
A VHS of the first series was released on 24 June 2002. The first three series of Fat Friends have been released on DVD in the United Kingdom via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Region 1
A stage musical adaptation of the series directed and written by original creator, Kay Mellor, with music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber made its world premiere at the Grand Theatre in Leeds on 7 November 2017 before embarking on a UK tour, starring Jodie Prenger as Kelly Stevenson.[2]