TV legend Mr Motivator, now a Wigan resident, is launching new fitness classes for people of all ages and is beginning with free taster sessions

The man who got millions of breakfast TV viewers moving in the morning back in the day is bringing his infectious enthusiam for keep fit to Wigan borough.

Mr Motivator, real name Derrick Evans MBE, is hosting a free taster class, The 11am Club, an inclusive chair-based exercise class for everyone, Wednesday 30th September 11am at The Ellesmere Suite, Leigh Masonic Hall. He will also host a taster class for a high energy, low-impact class later that day at 6.15pm at the same venue. Further sessions can be booked (and paid for) in October. | Iconic Media Group

placeholder image — Mr Motivator, real name Derrick Evans MBE, is hosting a free taster class, The 11am Club, an inclusive chair-based exercise class for everyone, Wednesday 30th September 11am at The Ellesmere Suite, Leigh Masonic Hall. He will also host a taster class for a high energy, low-impact class later that day at 6.15pm at the same venue. Further sessions can be booked (and paid for) in October. | Iconic Media Group

You may not know this but Derrick Evans, better known as Mr Motivator, has been living locally for several years.

He is doing a lot of charity work but, at the age of 73, his drive to keep himself - and others - in shape remains undimmed.

And he feels the people of Leigh, in particular, could benefit from some lessons in fine-tuning their bodies.

As a result he is hosting two free taster sessions on Wednesday September 30 in the Ellesmere Suite of Leigh Masonic Hall on Ellesmere Street.

Mr Motivator promoting chair-based exercise | Iconic Media Group

One at 11am is perhaps better suited to older residents as it will feature inclusive chair-based exercise class for everyone, while the second, at 6.15pm will be a higher energy, but low-impact class for everyone.

Derrick said: “Leigh is kind of area that needs lots of development.

“It needs lots of what I have to offer, which is basically trying to get everybody in the community to start taking responsibility for their health, and if they came along here, we're going to do the classes, which ensures that they move their body.

Mr Motivator feels Leigh needs what he has to offer | Iconic Media Group

“As they get older, they can reach down, they can reach up, they can stretch, they can actually avoid falling.

“And remember, falling costly NHS every single year, two to three billion pounds every year. So the more I can do in this area, to get hundreds of people in here, exercising and moving, oh, my goodness. It's going to be so much fun.

“Your body's a wonderful machine. It's a bit like having a car, you don't put the wrong petrol in there, you make sure you check the tyres, you make sure that you actually get a regular service.

“Same thing with your machine. Movement is medicine.”

Recently Derrick held a Dream Big Day in Wigan schools to promote Mr Motivator's Bed Bank which provides beds, bedding and essential sleep equipment to children experiencing bed poverty in Wigan.

He has raised a whopping £43k for the charity since March.

All are invited to the free taster sessions. Further (paid-for) sessions can be booked in October.