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Brian Dillon

RTE star Kathryn Thomas defends Operation Transformation as she addresses 'trolling'

Kathryn Thomas addressed her followers on Instagram last night and spoke about the online "trolling" of Operation Transformation.

In a series of Instagram stories, the presenter of the popular RTE show spoke to her 132,000 followers having just wrapped up the final filming for the latest season.

The programme has been the topic of much debate online, with many claiming that it promoted "disordered eating" and triggered those with eating disorders.

Taking to Instagram, Kathryn slammed some for spreading "blatantly false accusations".

She said: "Our leaders Kathleen, Katie, Sarah, Stefano and John, they are just brilliant. Just seeing them tonight so happy and yesterday in Phoenix Park we were running in the p*****g rain."

"I want to say I am so proud of this show, I am so proud of the people who work on it, I am so proud of the work that it does."

She added: "It is really important, it is an important show and I would not be working on the show as the mother of two daughters if I didn’t believe in the integrity of it.

"There has been criticism levelled at the show and a lot of you on here have been asking “why have you not come out against it and why are you not saying anything?”. I honestly don’t believe in getting into online spats, I don’t block anyone ever.

Kathryn Thomas says Operation Transformation is an "important show" (instagram.com/kathrynthomasofficial)

"I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, what I don’t believe in is trolling. What I don’t believe in is blatantly false accusations and false facts reported, whether it’s here online or in a newspaper, that’s just wholeheartedly inaccurate but as I said everyone is entitled to their own opinion."

She went on to say that "not everyone has to like the show" before thanking fans for their support.

"I hope you enjoy the show on Wednesday night," she said.

In January, a petition to axe the RTE show reached almost 8,000 signatures.

Uplift campaigner Sinead Crowe, from Intuitive Eating Ireland, said Ireland should not be “contributing to weight stigma”.

Meanwhile, Bodywhys released a statement criticising the series for what it says was the considerable emphasis on dieting, body weight and shape.

An RTE spokesman said: “Now in its 15th season, Operation Transformation has evolved considerably over the years and now encompasses a more holistic approach to adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as losing weight."

Operation Transformation airs on Wednesday at 9.35pm on RTE One and the RTE Player.

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