Tullamore selected as Operation Transformation base

The upcoming series of Operation Transformation will be based in Tullamore and will have a strong local flavour.

An RTE spokesperson revealed to the Offaly Independent this week that Tullamore has been confirmed as the base for the series, which will be broadcast in the New Year. However, they remained tip lipped about the exact location.
Local viewers will have plenty of reason to tune in with two of the Leaders having strong local links. This week teacher Shane Farrell found out that he had been picked as one of the leaders, following hot on the heels of Tullamore native Jean Kinahan who found out last week that she had been chosen.
Presenter Kathryn Thomas visited Sacred Heart School this week to give Shane the good news. A native of Galway, the 29-year-old father teaches music and religion. He is also produced this year's SHS school musical, Little Shop of Horrors, which was staged this week.
Shane was taking a well earned break in the staff room when Thomas gave him the shock of his life in front of his colleagues.
Shane (29) lives with his wife, Clodagh, and their children, Tadhg (14) – his step-son – Teagan ( 5) Moya (2) and Sadie (1). As a teacher, Shane's schedule is jam-packed: he teaches music and religion, as well as acting as musical director and a director of Stage Wise, a performing arts camp for teens. 
Music has been central to Shane's life, especially as it led him to meet Clodagh on the set of ‘Footloose’, the musical where Shane was the musical director and conductor and Clodagh was a chorus girl. Always on it, he's currently working on ‘The Producers’ in Tuam. 
Shane wasn't always overweight, as when he was 15 he was diagnosed with a neurological condition and lost the ability to control his bladder, which is called a dead bladder. He has overcome adversity, having had three children despite being told he wouldn't be able to due to the nerve damage. The condition can be hard to live with, as sometimes in work he is so busy he forgets to empty his bladder. That results in him feeling very sick and he is prone to constant infections.
It was while in hospital and recovering from various hiccups that food became his friend.  As the years passed he piled on the weight and it got out of control. There is a major surgery Shane can have but he needs to be 14 stone to get the operation, down from his current weight of 21st. 
To the world, Shane is upbeat and positive, but he carries a lot of emotional strain, both from his condition and self-esteem issues and from the pressure of being the eldest brother to siblings who struggle with their mental health. His confidence is very low, and on holidays he won't swim without his top off.
As he faces turning 30, he wants to be fit and healthy for his children and to be a positive role model in more ways than he already is to many.