Shaun Ryder refused to follow the rules on 100 Years Younger in 21 Days
Eight ageing celebrities try to rewind the clock during three weeks in sunny Sardinia
If ever there were a TV show that could inspire you to get back on track with your ‘new year, new you’ goals, here it is!
Meet the eight celebrities aiming to collectively become 100 years younger in 21 days.
“I needed a kick-start with fitness again. In some reaction tests, I was ‘older’ than [90-year-old] June Brown!” says former Corrie and Emmerdale star Claire King, 55.
“The show approached things naturally rather than through invasive surgeries – I’m avoiding that route now…”
The celebrities relocated for three weeks to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, one of five ‘blue zones’ around the world, where locals commonly live to the ripe old age of 90 – some even to 100.
“Once you retire you see a lot of people that get ill and die from boredom.
These women are working all hours!” says Claire. “Get a hobby. Keep going. Mind you, they might have been living to 100, but even the 40 year olds looked about 80 thanks to the effects of sun exposure.”
“For me, the only good thing about getting older is that mentally I feel more stable than I’ve ever been in my life,” says Shaun Ryder, also 55.
The show’s team – nutritionist Thor, personal trainer Simone and dermatologist Dr Chopra – put the celebs on a strict Mediterranean diet of fresh vegetables, healthy oils and fruit (but no bread or wine), and ordered them to complete challenging hill climbs and meditation sessions (led by Coronation Street’s William Roache) and undergo colonic irrigation.
“The colonic was the worst because I swore I’d never do that on TV,” cringes Claire.
“I was a colonic virgin, but when it came to it, I thought: ‘Why not try new things?’ It’s good to get all the s*** out!”
Happy Mondays singer Shaun, however, wasn’t so good at following the rules.
“I can’t be doing with being told what to do,” he grins. “If I want a glass of wine at the end of the day, I’ll f***ing have one.”
We won’t spoil the outcome of the 21-day challenge, but Shaun tells TV Mag that one very good thing did come from it: new-found friendships.
“With all the draconian rules, for me as a spoiled celebrity, I would have f***ed off home if it wasn’t for the comradeship between all of us,” he smiles.
“Sherrie became my best mate and June is brilliant. She’s a real Sixties chick – we talked about marijuana and bongs!”
100 Years Younger In 21 Days, Tuesday 9pm, ITV
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