The much-anticipated new season of Ireland’s Fittest Family is set to return to our screens this weekend after it was postponed due to the tragic death of a contestant.
The 12th season, hosted by Laura Fox, was originally slated for an October release but was put on hold when 15-year-old contestant Cillian Flaherty passed away unexpectedly in October 2024.
It’s now been confirmed that the show will be returning in a brand-new time slot this coming weekend. While Ireland’s Fittest Family usually airs on Sunday evenings, it’s moving to Saturday nights at 6.35pm to accommodate Dancing with the Stars taking the old time slot.
Animo TV, the production company behind the hit series, took to Instagram to announce: “Ireland’s Fittest Family is back for its 12th season on RTE One and RTE Player.
“Coaches Davy Fitzgerald, Anna Geary, Donncha O’Callaghan and Sonia O’Sullivan are back and looking to bring home the title this year.”
The return of Ireland’s Fittest Family comes as part of a new Irish entertainment lineup for Saturday nights on RTE One. Also joining the schedule is the latest season of The Young Offenders, finally arriving on Irish television after a BBC debut last year.
Tommy Tiernan is back too, with a new instalment of his own chat show, promising intimate chats with guests from all walks of life.
Sunday nights are set to be a treat for telly lovers, with Dancing with the Stars stepping up for its eighth season. The new series will see Karen Byrne join the judging panel, while celebs like Elaine Crowley, Rhys McClenaghan and Danny O’Carroll show off their moves on the dance floor.
Dancing with the Stars 2025 judging panel
And that’s not all – Dermot Bannon is returning to our screens on Sunday nights with a fresh season of Room to Improve. Four families from across Ireland have chosen Dermot to design their dream homes, with the challenge of staying within budget and on schedule.
This year, the show will have an extra episode featuring former Dancing with the Stars judge Julian Benson, as he gears up to launch a dedicated facility in Dublin for the families of Cystic Fibrosis patients.