Anna Richardson to front Betty TV's 'Slimming Jab' documentary

13 June 2023

Channel 4 has ordered a 1x60 documentary about the recent phenomenon of the slimming jab from Betty TV, fronted by Anna Richardson.

Slimming jabs have hit the headlines after delivering allegedly ‘miracle’ results in clinical trials. But is the celebrity frenzy around the new blockbuster drug all hype, or does it offer a real medical new hope for the future of weight-loss therapy?

Presenter Anna Richardson will take viewers on a journalistic deep dive to discover the truth behind these popular drugs – Semaglutide and Liraglutide.

These drugs, which were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, are now being considered as game-changers in the battle against obesity. Throughout the documentary Anna will be talking to leading industry experts, and real people who are already using the jab.

As well as exploring the risks, Anna will question if these drugs are open to abuse by those accessing them through private medicine, if social media is compounding their craze and if the risks are being communicated as effectively as the results.

Anna Richardson said “Much as these drugs have been approved for treatment for those with type 2 diabetes or obesity, the dangerous hype around them, added to by celebrity endorsement, is rapidly going to lead to improper use in those who do not need it. This doc will be the first to uncover the myths and facts behind the new ‘magic bullet’ in the fight against obesity.”

Helen Cooke, Joint Creative Director of Betty TV said, “It’s time to take a closer look at this slimming jab and dig deeper into the science behind it. I’m thrilled to have Anna on board to lead this timely and important documentary”.

Clemency Green, Senior Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Daytime & Features added, “Regular users of social media will have been bombarded with people talking about the 'magic' effects of the slimming jab. This documentary promises to deliver an enlightening exploration of this so-called 'magic' jab, backed by rigorous research, medical expertise, and compelling personal anecdotes. The show will investigate whether this medicine really could be the answer to obesity, saving the NHS millions, or if we should all be more cautious of quick fixes.”

The documentary was commissioned for Channel 4 by Clemency Green Senior Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Daytime and Features. It will be overseen by Nicole Streak, Commissioning Editor. It will be executive produced by Jenny Ash and Helen Cooke for Betty TV.

Betty TV is part of Objective Media Group, an All3Media Company.

ENDS

Note: This press release was updated on 19/06/23

NOTES TO EDITORS

Semaglutide is marketed as Wegovy. Wegovy has a license for aiding weight loss in people with obesity. Semaglutide is also available in a different dosing formulation as Ozempic which is licensed to treat people with type 2 diabetes rather than obesity alone.

Liraglutide has been available to treat people with type 2 diabetes since 2010 and branded as Victoza. It was released for weight loss in a different dosing formulation in 2020 when it was branded as Saxenda.

Wegovy, which represents the most effective treatment in its class for weight loss, has now been approved for use by the NHS and will soon to be hitting UK high-street chemists'.  Wegovy® and Ozempic® are brand names for two different semaglutide treatments, not liraglutide.