He helped us stay active through lockdown – and now he’s got friends in high places. Joe Wicks tells us all about working with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the creators of Hey Duggee
Joe Wicks is a man on a mission to get our kids moving. And when you’re really determined, you might be surprised who you need in your corner.
In his case, it’s Wes Streeting MP, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Duggee, a beloved cartoon dog. Here he tells MEG JORSH about his new project – and how he’s definitely not going into politics…
The first thing you notice is the hair. That mass of glossy curls that means you’re watching Britain’s most beloved fitness instructor, perfectly rendered in animated form.
It bounces. It flows. It’s so realistic, it looks like a video of Joe Wicks’ bonce has been somehow attached to a cartoon body. “I still don’t quite understand how they’ve done it,” he says. “It’s really clever.”
It’s five years since the dad-of-four became a household name as the cheery face of pandemic exercise. He kept us all leaping round our living rooms, notching up 100million views on his PE With Joe videos.
Now life is back to normal, but our kids are more sedentary than ever. So this time, Joe’s breaking out the big guns. He’s teamed up with Studio AKA, the team behind BBC show Hey Duggee, to create a new kids’ workout series.
The first five-minute episode of Activate, featuring Joe’s cartoon doppelganger, is due out today (TUE) on his The Body Coach YouTube channel.
He says: “We thought we’d wait until the summer holidays because that’s when children need the most support. It’s a very stressful time for a lot of parents.
“If I can get parents doing it with their kids, that’s a win – and if I can get kids doing it on their own that’s a win too.”
The series, which boasts an upbeat soundtrack from Universal Music UK, has already got the seal of approval from Joe’s kids. And he’s hoping Britain’s worn-out parents feel the same.
Despite growing concerns around childhood obesity, the 39-year-old says it’s not about getting youngsters to lose weight. “I think children really need to be exercising for their mental health and their mood,” he says.
“I did a documentary on the BBC and it was around my parental mental health, my dad suffered from addiction, and how sport and fitness was a fundamental driving force for me. I think without that I really would have struggled.”
But the government may have slightly different ideas. Activate has their backing as part of Wes Streeting’s 10 Year Health Plan, designed to cut childhood obesity by encouraging healthy habits.
Joe, from Epsom, Surrey, admits he’s still getting used to spending time with the Labour MP for Ilkley North. “It’s all new to me,” he says. “It’s very surreal to be doing things with him.
“I feel very proud. You know, I was just a fitness instructor in the park and now someone in a position of power is looking at what I’ve done and saying ‘yeah, this is wicked mate’.”
In spite of that, Joe insists he’s not planning a new career in politics. Awarded an MBE in 2020 for his services to fitness and charity, he plans to carry on fighting for the causes he believes in.
“I don’t really feel like I’m getting involved in politics,” he says. “I feel like I’ve created something that’s hopefully going to have an impact – and the government think it’s going to help them in their mission.
“I’ve got this opportunity to be a voice for people. If you really want to see change, you need to have conversations with the people in charge.”
The series was unveiled at Ripple Primary School in Barking, east London, where Joe and Wes chatted to parents and teachers.
The Health Secretary says: “Childhood obesity robs our young people of their future, and inactivity is one of the biggest culprits. That’s why it’s crucial to start building healthy habits from a young age.
“Our 10 Year Health Plan sets out how we would tackle obesity through prevention and today demonstrates how we’re taking action.”
To have a go at the Activate workouts, head to www.youtube.com/@TheBodyCoachTV
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
