Retired headmaster of Inverness High School living in Nairn appears in BBC TV undercover weight loss show, Secret Body

A retired headmaster of an Inverness secondary school is to appear in a TV undercover weight loss show.

Ritchie Cunningham, who was head of Inverness High School for 23 years, is taking part in the BBC’s Secret Body.

Participants aim to turn around their lifestyles and transform their bodies in 12 weeks – while keeping it a secret from their family and friends by wearing a custom-made body suit.

Mr Cunningham (68), who lives with his wife Linda in Nairn West End, appears tonight in the first episode of the six-part series on BBC Scotland.

It follows his efforts under the guidance of lifestyle and weight-loss experts Stephen Clarke and Rab Shields who devise a nutrition and fitness plan.

Mr Cunningham, who is the past president of Inverness Rotary Club and helps to administer its social media pages, became involved “by accident”.

He explained that Secret Body’s production team sent a message to say it was looking for older people to take part in the programme.

“I said if they couldn’t get anyone else, I would be willing to consider it,” said Mr Cunningham, who subsequently ended up being selected.

“I already had plans to try to lose some weight – I felt I was putting on a bit too much.”

He weighed just over 16 stone and had a personal target to get down to 14.5 stone and lose some belly fat.

Losing weight as a personal challenge is one thing – but being filmed for it to be screened for a TV audience is another.

“I am past the stage where I get embarrassed,” Mr Cunningham said.

“If I had been in my 30s, I might have been more worried. But when I am getting close to 70, I don’t think about that sort of thing.

“I think the fact you are taking part in a TV programme is perhaps an added incentive.

“If you are doing it on your own, you might be tempted to slow down.”

Apart from his wife, who was in on the challenge, he kept it a secret from family including his two sons, one of whom lives in California while the other returned to Glasgow from Holland last year.

Friends were also unaware.

Coronavirus restrictions also made the situation less complicated as there were few social occasions.

But there were occasions when he did wear the body suit including during a game of golf.

He also wore it when he hosted some members of Nairn Probus Club – of which he is president – in his garden for coffee.

The programme’s personal trainers devised an exercise regime specifically for Mr Cunningham.

He is still continuing to follow the training which involves about 30 minutes of resistance and weight exercises plus a 30-minute cardiovascular workout.

“It got me into the habit of doing it,” Mr Cuningham said.

“I suppose the added pressure of the TV programme is to get you started and establish patterns of behaviour which are sensible.

“I am still doing it, which is a good thing.”

Viewers can see how Mr Cunningham coped with his challenge and the reaction of friends and family when he steps out of his secret suit when Secret Body is screened today at 10pm on BBC Scotland.

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