02 January 2024 , 18:09
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A former Channel 4 TV star has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Jody Bunting, 45, who appeared on the Big Breakfast between 2001 and 2002, was arrested at Luton Airport by cops as he returned from a holiday in Morocco on November 2. Bunting, who is now a fitness instructor in Derbyshire, was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a work colleague – a claim he denies.
A member of staff at Mickleover Court Hotel Leisure Club was rushed to intensive care at Royal Derby Hospital on October 29 after suffering an allergic reaction to chocolate. Bunting is accused of planting the chocolate on purpose – an allegation he strongly denies.
Speaking of his arrest, he said: "I was in shock, being arrested in front of a friend and then being paraded around Luton Airport in cuffs. 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."
Former Big Breakfast star Jody Bunting claims he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder (Sunday Mercury)Speaking to Derbyshire Live, the fitness instructor explained that he was bailed on the condition of not speaking to members of staff at Mickleover Court, and he had been prohibited from visiting the leisure club. He added: "I am doing ok. 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.
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"It's motivated me not to work for anyone else again, to focus on my own business. 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."
But Jody says it's "hard" to tell people he was "arrested for attempted murder" given the nature, with people later "laughing" due to it involving a piece of chocolate.
Jody, who previously weighed 31 stone when he appeared on the Channel 4 show, commented: "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."
He further claimed that he has not heard from Derbyshire Police since his arrest. In a statement given to The Mirror, Derby Police said: "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."