Ireland’s Fittest Families to return to screens with tribute to contestant who passed away

The 2024 series was postponed after one young contestant passed away suddenly.

The popular show was due to air on October 27, but was pulled earlier that week after a young contestant tragically passed away.

Fifteen-year-old Cillian Flaherty, and his family were contestants on the show.

The third-year student at Blakestown Communty School in west Dublin passed away suddenly the week that the show was due to return to screens for its twelfth series.

RTÉ confirmed that they would be postponing the series broadcast in a statement, saying 'details regarding the broadcast of the series will be provided in due course'.

It has now been revealed that the series will air next month, with a tribute to Cillian featuring in the show.

Following speculation that the show would be shelved for good, The Sunday World have reported that the Flaherty family have since given their approval for the show to air.

The show usually airs in the Sunday evening 'family' slot, however, as Dancing with the Stars will be starting in three weeks' time and running until March, RTÉ bosses have decided to air Ireland's Fittest Families on Saturday evenings from early January.

The upcoming season, hosted by Laura Fox, will feature coaches Davy Fitzgerald, Anna Geary, Donncha O’Callaghan and Sonia O’Sullivan.

Cillian was laid to rest in October, with mourners asked to wear sky blue.

In a heartbreaking tribute to his sibling, his brother Kian said: "To my little brother Cillian, I loved you more than anything in the world, we were the best of friends."