The seventh season of the Australian version of the original NBC reality television series The Biggest Loser, known as The Biggest Loser Australia: Singles, premiered on 23 January 2012 on Network Ten. All four trainers from the previous season (Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, Steve Willis (The Commando) and Tiffiny Hall) returned(11 January 2012) http://thebiggestloser.com.au/biggest-loser-singles-the-fitness-fight-begins-23-january.htm URL Accessed 11 January 2012 with Hayley Lewis also returning as host. The season featured contestants competing as teams of four, as with the previous season, but split by age and gender, with Shannan training the under 30 males, The Commando the over 30 males, Tiffiny the under 30 females and Michelle the over 30 females. Season 6 was won by Margie Cummins.

The season was announced during the Season 6 finale on 2 May 2011 and was confirmed at the Network TEN 2012 Program Launch on 17 August 2011, originally announced as a second "Families" installment,(17 August 2011) http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/08/ten-2012-programming-launch.html URL Accessed 11 September 2011 until rebranded as "Singles" with an emphasis on 'romance'.Network Ten, 17 August 2011, Ten 2012 press release, media release, pp.3, Accessed 11 September 2011

Production and filming on the season began on 14 November 2011.http://www.tvcentral.com.au/2011/11/14/the-biggest-loser-australia-season-7-begins-production/

Host and personalities Host: Hayley Lewis has returned for her third season as host.

Trainers: Shannan Ponton, Michelle Bridges, Steve Willis ("The Commando") and Tiffiny Hall all trained in the 2011 season have returned in this year (2012)

Game variations Singles: All contestants this season are single, and feel their weight has held them back from a love life. Team Division: The contestants are divided into four teams of four by age and gender, with Shannan training the under 30 males, The Commando the over 30 males, Tiffiny the under 30 females and Michelle the over 30 females. Schedule: For the first three weeks, the show retains its four night a week schedule, but the nights changed to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. However, from the fourth week onwards, a Friday night show was added, consisting of unseen footage and catch-ups with the latest eliminated contestant. From Week 10, the schedule shifts forward by one day, so the week begins being shown on a Sunday instead of a Monday. The Walk: The Walk returns from its two-year break, and the power of the walk becomes the prize for winning the Contest.

Schedule

Weeks 1–3 Monday: Conclusion of Major Challenge, Weigh In and Elimination Tuesday: The Contest and the Walk Wednesday: Conclusion of The Walk and Temptation Thursday: Conclusion of Temptation and Beginning of Major Challenge

Weeks 4–9 Monday: Conclusion of Major Challenge, Weigh In and Elimination Tuesday: The Contest and the Walk Wednesday: Conclusion of The Walk and Temptation Thursday: Conclusion of Temptation and Beginning of Major Challenge Friday: Behind the scenes

Weeks 10–15 Sunday: Weigh-in Monday: The Contest and the Walk Tuesday: Conclusion of The Walk and Temptation Wednesday: Conclusion of Temptation and Beginning of Major Challenge Thursday: Behind the scenes

Teams

ContestantWeek123456789101112131415FinaleMargieRed TeamGirls Red Team Black PlayerThe Biggest LoserAlexBoysOld DogsRunner UpKaseyWhite TeamGirlsWhite TeamYoung PupsBlack Player3rd PlaceBrendaRed Team Eliminated ContestantBlack Player4th PlaceBekWhite TeamGirls Eliminated Contestant Eliminated ContestantGrahamBlack TeamBoysBlack TeamOld DogsBlack Player Eliminated ContestantLydiaRed TeamGirls Red TeamOld DogsBlack Player MichelleWhite TeamGirls White TeamYoung PupsBlack Player Eliminated ContestantLisaRed TeamGirls Red TeamOld Dogs Eliminated Contestant Eliminated ContestantSimonBlack TeamBoysBlack TeamOld Dogs Eliminated Contestant Eliminated ContestantSelena GirlsWhite TeamYoung Pups Eliminated ContestantHamishBlue TeamBoysBlue Team Eliminated Contestant Eliminated ContestantLukeBlue TeamBoysBlue Team Eliminated ContestantRyanBlue TeamBoys Eliminated Contestant Eliminated ContestantShaneBlack Team Eliminated Contestant Eliminated ContestantJames Eliminated Contestant

Contestants There is slated to be four teams of four, totaling up to 16 contestants.

ContestantsOriginal teamFirst Singles ColorSecond Singles ColorThird Singles ColorFourth Singles ColorStatusSelenaWhite TeamEliminated Week 1 5JamesUnder 30 MalesBlue TeamWalked Week 1Left by temptationShaneOver 30 MalesBlack Team Eliminated Week 2 4BrendaReturned via Weigh InRed TeamEliminated Week 34RyanUnder 30 MalesBlue TeamEliminated Week 4 4BekReturned via Weigh InWhite TeamEliminated Week 5 2LukeUnder 30 MalesBlue TeamExpelled Week 5Left by expulsionHamishUnder 30 MalesBlue TeamEliminated Week 63SelenaWhite TeamEliminated Week 1Re-Eliminated Week 7 5SimonOver 30 MalesBlack TeamBlack PlayerEliminated Week 83LisaOver 30 FemalesRed TeamBlack PlayerEliminated Week 93MichelleUnder 30 FemalesWhite TeamBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerEliminated Week 123LydiaOver 30 FemalesRed TeamBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerEliminated Week 10Re-Eliminated Week 13 5GrahamOver 30 MalesBlack TeamBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerEliminated Week 14Left by challengeBekUnder 30 FemalesWhite TeamBlack PlayerEliminated Week 5Re-Eliminated Week 14 2BrendaOver 30 FemalesRed TeamBlack Player4th Place 4KaseyUnder 30 FemalesWhite TeamBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack Player3rd Place0AlexOver 30 MalesBlack TeamBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerRunner Up0MargieOver 30 FemalesRed TeamBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerBlack PlayerThe Biggest Loser0

Weigh-ins ContestantAgeHeightStartingBMICurrentBMIStartingweightWeekFinaleWeightlostPercentagelost 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Margie 34 175 159.1 150.7 145.6 141.7 136.3 129.7 126.8121.8 121.0 115.2 111.4 110.3 108.3 107.2 102.6 98.0 85.9 73.2 46.01% Alex 50 162 161.6 150.9 146.0 143.2 139.2 131.6 129.3 123.3 118.3 115.8 115.2 111.1 111.0 107.6102.1 96.6 89.4 72.2 44.68% Kasey 26 171 132.8 125.9 122.6 118.4 115.9 111.4 106.5 104.2 100.1 97.7 97.0 94.6 91.8 90.6 87.6 83.2 78.8 54.0 40.66% Brenda 40 172 120.8 113.1 110.4 108.3 97.7 90.9 88.4 86.9 83.8 78.5 76.5 44.3 36.67% Bek 26 172 126.3 121.0 117.7 114.4 111.0 107.1 97.2 92.3 88.9 87.3 84.6 79.0 47.3 37.45% Graham 36 194 209.3 198.0 193.2 188.8 184.7 177.9 173.0 166.9 163.2 157.1 155.9 152.2 145.6145.0 LEFT 135.9 73.4 35.07% Lydia 34 165 141.9 131.6 127.2 124.1 122.3 115.7 111.7 106.6 103.3 100.2 100.6 95.5 92.3 93.2 78.8 63.1 44.47% Michelle 24 168 110.4 102.4 100.4 97.5 93.8 91.3 86.4 85.8 80.5 80.2 81.1 77.7 77.0 67.4 43.0 38.95% Lisa 42 170 104.2 98.2 96.1 94.3 91.1 86.7 84.8 83.1 81.3 79.8 82.9 80.1 69.9 34.3 32.92% Simon 40 161 164.3 154.4 151.2 147.3 143.9 136.5 135.3 128.9 127.2 127.9 122.9 110.3 54.0 32.87% Selena 21 170 163.5 158.7 156.5 149.5 145.4 138.5 135.8 131.9 131.2 125.1 38.4 23.49% Hamish 21 173 148.7 143.8 140.8 136.7 132.8 127.0 124.0 116.3 100.0 48.7 32.75% Luke 26 180 145.2 137.3 133.2 129.0 126.8 LEFT 111.1 34.1 23.48% Ryan 29 192 241.0 228.4 221.5 214.2 206.1 196.8 186.2 54.8 22.74% Shane 38 187 164.8 154.7 151.3 141.7 129.5 35.3 21.42% James 22 189 136.3 126.4 LEFT 93.2 43.1 31.62%

Contestants Below the Yellow Line Below the Yellow Line and Week's Biggest Loser The week's biggest loser The contestant returned to the competition Had immunity for the week LEFT – The contestant left the competition before a weigh-in (by choice or challenge or expulsion) Gained weight and below the yellow line Had immunity but lost it due to gaining weight, and below the yellow line Had immunity and the week's biggest loser Gained weight at the Surprise Immunity Weigh-In Won Immunity at the surprise Immunity Weigh-In Weigh-in for previously eliminated contestants Last Person Eliminated before finale Winner (among finalists) Winner (among eliminated) BMIs Healthy Body Mass Index (less than 25.0 BMI) Overweight Body Mass Index (25.0 – 29.9 BMI) Obese Class I (30.0 – 34.9 BMI) Obese Class II Index (35.0 – 39.9 BMI) Obese Class III (40.0 or above) Notes In week 7, Selena weighed in 48 hours prior the other contestants after her team lost a challenge. Her result was 3.9 kg. In week 12, Graham had a 1 kilo disadvantage so his weight loss of 6.6 kilos was reduced to 5.6 kilos. In week 12, Lydia had a 1 kilo advantage so her weight loss of 3.2 kilos was increased to 4.2 kilos.

Leaderboard ContestantAgeHeightStarting BMIStarting WeightCurrentBMICurrentWeightKgPercent Margie 34 175159.185.9 73.246.01% Alex 50 162 161.6 89.4 72.2 44.68% Kasey 26 171132.8 78.8 54.0 40.66% Brenda 40 172120.8 76.5 44.3 36.67%

Weight loss history

ContestantWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11Week 12Week 13Week 14Week 15Finale Margie −8.4 −5.1 −3.8 −5.4 −6.6 −2.9 −5.0 −0.8 −5.8 −3.8 −1.1 −2.0 −2.1 −4.6 −4.6 −13.1 Alex −10.7 −4.9 −2.8 −4.0 −7.6 −2.3 −6.0 −5.0 −2.5 −0.6 −4.1 −0.1 −3.4 −5.5 −5.5 −7.2 Kasey −6.9 −3.3 −4.2 −2.5 −4.5 −4.9 −2.3 −4.1 −2.4 −0.7 −2.4 −2.8 −1.2 −3.0 −4.2 −4.4 Brenda −7.7 −2.7 −2.1 -10.6 −6.8 −2.5 −1.5 −3.1 −5.3 −2.0 Bek −5.3 −3.3 −3.3 −3.4 −3.9 -9.9 −4.9 −3.4 −1.6 −2.6 -5.7 Graham −11.3 −4.8 −4.4 −4.1 −6.8 −4.9 −6.1 −3.7 −6.1 −1.2 −3.7 −6.6 −0.6 -9.1 Lydia −10.3 −4.4 −3.1 −1.8 −6.6 −4.0 −5.1 −3.3 −3.1 +0.4 −5.1 −3.2 +0.9 -14.4 Michelle −8.0 −2.0 −2.9 −3.7 −2.5 −4.9 −0.6 −5.3 −0.3 +0.9 −3.4 −0.7 -9.6 Lisa −6.0 −2.2 −1.7 −3.2 −4.4 −1.9 −1.7 −1.8 −1.5 +3.1 −2.8 -10.2 Simon −9.9 −3.2 −3.9 −3.4 −7.4 −1.2 −6.4 −1.7 +0.7 −5.0 -12.6 Selena −4.8 −2.2 −7.0 −4.1 −6.9 −2.7 −3.9 -0.7 -6.1 Hamish −4.9 −3.3 −3.8 −3.9 −5.8 −3.0 -7.7 -16.3 Luke −7.9 −4.1 −4.2 −2.2 -17.6 +1.9 Ryan −12.6 −6.9 −7.3 −8.1 -9.3 -10.6 Shane −10.1 −3.4 -9.6 -16.2 James −9.9 -23.8 -9.4

Percentage loss history

ContestantWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11Week 12Week 13Week 14Week 15Finale Margie −5.28% −3.38% −2.68% −3.81% −4.84% −2.24% −3.94% −0.66% −4.79% −3.30% −0.99% −1.81% −1.94% −4.29% −4.48% Alex −6.62% −3.25% −1.92% −2.79% −5.46% −1.75% −4.64% −4.06% −2.11% −0.52% −3.56% −0.09% −3.06% −5.11% −5.39% Kasey −5.20% −2.62% −3.43% −2.11% −3.88% −4.40% −2.16% −3.93% −2.40% −0.72% −2.47% −2.96% −1.31% −3.31% −5.02% Brenda −6.37% −2.39% −1.90% -9.79% −6.96% −2.75% −1.70% −3.57% −6.32% Bek −4.20% −2.73% −2.80% −2.97% −3.51% -9.24% −5.04% −3.68% −1.80% −3.09% Graham −5.40% −2.42% −2.28% −2.17% −3.60% −2.75% −3.53% −2.22% −3.74% −0.76% −2.37% −4.34% −0.41% Lydia −7.26% −3.34% −2.44% −1.45% −5.40% −3.46% −4.57% −3.10% −3.00% +0.40% −4.78% −3.35% +0.98% Michelle −7.25% −1.95% −2.89% −3.79% −2.67% −5.37% −0.69% −6.18% −0.37% +1.12% −4.19% −0.90% Lisa −5.76% −2.24% −1.77% −3.39% −4.83% −2.19% −2.00% −2.17% −1.85% +3.88% −3.38% Simon −6.03% −2.07% −2.58% −2.31% −5.14% −0.88% −4.73% −1.32% +0.55% −3.91% Selena −2.94% −1.40% −4.47% −2.74% −4.75% −1.95% −2.87% -0.53% Hamish −3.30% −2.29% −2.70% −2.85% −4.37% −2.36% -6.62% Luke −5.44% −2.99% −3.15% −1.71% -13.88% Ryan −5.23% −3.02% −3.30% −3.78% -4.51% Shane −6.13% −2.20% -6.35% James −7.26% -18.83%

Major Challenges

Week 1 – Ferry Pull – In the first challenge, the teams were required to pull an 18-ton ferry 500m down a river using a row boat, at which point they had to unhook the ferry, turn round and row their way back to the start line. The first team to cross the finish line would get a 2 kg advantage at the first weigh-in. Due to injury, Alex could not take part, so was replaced by the Commando. As a result, the other three teams were also given the opportunity to replace one of their team members with their trainer. The winners were the Black team, followed by Red, Blue and White.