FRESH from securing a lucrative book deal, personal trainer Simon Lovell is now ready to take on television.

The 29-year-old, from Alphington, Exeter, is working with former Big Brother and The Salon producers at Top TV Academy to develop a television programme helping obese children lose weight by meeting their celebrity idols.

Simon is also the author of the book The Lunch Box Diet, which is due to be published on January 5, 2009.

The diet gained national media attention after being posted on the internet, leading to a lucrative publishing deal with HarperCollins.

Simon became a personal trainer at Fitness First, in Exeter's Tudor Street, after he started going to the gym four years ago because he was overweight.

Now, he wants to help children lose weight, too, and is looking for youngsters to take part in the programme.

“I am concerned with the child obesity crisis and want to find new ways to motivate kids to lose weight,” said Simon.

“For the programme, I want to pair up overweight children with the celebrity idols who inspire them, and get them on the same exercise and diet regime.

“Children sometimes just need that extra push to change their lives.

“I think this will motivate and inspire children to work in a similar way to their idols, and that it will teach them that if they want to be successful, like, for example, Tim Henman, then they have to keep fit.”

Simon, who will also be presenting the programme, is looking for children between the ages of eight and 17 to take part.

He said: “This is a very serious idea, but it's in the early stages.

“Over the next few weeks, I need to interview parents and children to find out about the kids, the problems they have and what motivates them.

“Then, when I've finished conducting the interviews and drawn up a short list, we will pitch the idea to the TV companies.

“There is a massive obesity problem in the UK, spilling over to children.

“This programme is a fresh new approach that will influence lots of people and will, hopefully, be an inspiration for children who watch the show.

“I want to work with youngsters in Exeter because I want to stay close to my roots and give local people an opportunity to take part.

“I think it's a really good idea and is something to get involved with.

“Hopefully, we can come up with something really exciting.”

Parents who would like to nominate their children can either email simon@ theheatfitness.co. uk or write to Simon Lovell, Fitness First, Tudor Street, Exeter, EX2 8RF.

Please include the name of your child, the age, weight, who they aspire to be like, background information and your own contact details.