As of 2024, six celebrity contestants have died: Jeff Conaway, Dustin Diamond, Jani Lane, Biz Markie, Ralphie May, and Erin Moran.
This show is an American remake of the British reality series Celebrity Fit Club (2002). Marine Corp Drill Sergeant Harvey Walden IV appeared as a panelist and the fitness instructor on both shows.
Jeff Conaway remains the only contestant to have left the show part way through the season. Dr. Drew Pinsky publicly recommended that Conaway leave the show because Conaway's prescription drug addiction was far too great for him to continue. Conaway later appeared in the first season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (2008).
In the show's later seasons, show runners offered Houston-based rapper Paul Wall the chance to appear on the show. While Wall turned the show down, he went on the record to say that the phone call he received from the show was a wake-up call for him to get into shape. On his own accord, he went on an extreme diet and had gastric sleeve surgery, resulting in him losing over 100 pounds (> 45 kg).