A former Channel 4 star claims he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after being accused of poisoning his colleague with chocolate.
Jody Bunting, who regularly appeared on the broadcaster's morning show The Big Breakfast between 2001 and 2002, was reportedly nicked when he landed at Luton Airport after returning from a holiday in Morocco.
He hosted the 'Lose it with Jody' segment and is best known for his miraculous transformation after shedding the weight when he hit 31-stone, before he became a full time fitness instructor who continued to dabble in TV over the years.
The Derbyshire-based exercise guru has told how he was allegedly arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in wake of a dramatic incident on 29 October, 2023, involving one of his co-workers at the Mickleover Court Hotel Leisure Club.
Advert
It has been claimed that an unnamed employee was rushed to the Royal Derby Hospital and put in intensive care after suffering from an allergic reaction to chocolate.
Bunting alleges that he is being accused of planting the sweet treat on purpose, although he strongly denies any wrongdoing, and claims he was apprehended by cops in the airport on 2 November, 2023.
He had been a group exercise instructor at Mickleover Court Hotel Leisure Club since 2017 and claims he was still on holiday on the day which the incident occurred.
Speaking of his arrest, Bunting told Derbyshire Live: "I was in shock, being arrested in front of a friend and then being paraded around Luton Airport in cuffs.
Advert
"However, the members at the gym had warned me it may happen. I was shocked my local South Derbyshire police officers had come all the way down to London for this issue.
"The custody sergeant did ask if I could still do my high kicks as he'd Googled me and realised who I was."
The ex-Channel 4 star told the publication that he had been bailed on the conditions that he does not visit the leisure club or contact any members of staff from his workplace.
Bunting said he was 'doing ok' but being prohibited from stepping foot inside Mickleover Court had forced him to focus on his other training alternatives to make ends meet.
He continued: "I am working a lot less now as Mickleover Court was my main job, so I'm just focusing on the fitness classes I still have and the online weight loss coaching I do."
Advert
"It's motivated me not to work for anyone else again, to focus on my own business," Bunting added.
"I am just focusing on the future and hoping I get the 'no further action' letter from the police any day now. The hardest thing is what to tell the members who have contacted me."
On top of the severity of the matter, the Lose it with Jody host said it has been 'hard' to explain to people that he was arrested - especially due to his past in the spotlight.
Bunting added: "It's hard to just say 'I got arrested for attempted murder' and not explain the whys.
Advert
"When I tell people it's over a piece of chocolate, they actually laugh out loud, which is even more amusing because of my slimming work and past."
The fitness instructor claimed that Derbyshire Police have not been in touch with any developments since his arrest on 2 November, 2023.
The force said in a statement: "A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and wounding with intent on 2 November. He has been bailed as investigations continue.
"The arrest relates to an incident at the Mickleover Court Hotel in Derby between 22 and 29 October 2023."
LADbible has approached Mickleover Court Hotel Leisure Club for comment.
Topics: Channel 4, TV and Film, Crime, UK News, Food And Drink
Olivia Burke