A TV fitness guru has described his “year of hell” after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in a case that centres around a bar of chocolate. Former Channel 4 Big Breakfast star Jody Bunting says his life was “turned upside-down” when he was arrested at Luton Airport back in November 2023, adding that he was “paraded” around the airport after returning from Morocco.
He was arrested in relation to an incident that took place at the Mickleover Court Hotel Leisure Club on October 29, 2023, where he worked. Mr Bunting, from Hatton, had worked as a group exercise instructor at the leisure club since 2017.
He says a member of staff was taken to the intensive care unit at the Royal Derby Hospital after an allergic reaction to chocolate and claims he is being accused of intentionally planting the bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut – something he strongly denies.
Speaking on the day that his life “changed forever”, Mr Bunting said: “It was surreal. It really hit me when they said the words: ‘You’re being arrested for attempted murder.’ That was what really shocked me, more than being paraded around the airport itself.
“I was so shocked that Derbyshire police officers had come all the way down to Luton to get me, it made everything seem very serious and real. I wasn’t particularly angry – I was just confused. I thought: ‘How can this actually be happening?’”
Officers took Mr Bunting to St Mary’s Wharf police station in Derby and left him in a cell for two hours before interviewing him for another two hours. He said he was lucky to have a friend with him when he was arrested, who told his friends and family, including his mother.
“My mum and friends were all so worried. All they knew is that I’d been arrested for attempted murder. They didn’t say who or where. They were just left to worry about it,” the 46-year-old said. “They were jumping to all sorts of crazy conclusions.”
Mr Bunting was released on bail after being questioned by police and one of the conditions of the bail was that he was unable to return to return to work at Mickleover Court, leaving him worried about his financial stability and livelihood. Strangely enough, despite being under investigation for attempted murder, police allowed Mr Bunting to keep his passport and live in Morocco, from which he returns to the UK to visit friends and family around once a month.
“I just had to adapt and figure out a way to earn money. Luckily enough, I found some weight loss clients who I have been coaching online, and I have been surviving through that. It also helps to live in Morocco, everything is much cheaper over here, and the weather is brilliant – it has been a key part of my positivity.”
He hosted Lose it with Jody on Channel 4’s former morning show The Big Breakfast between 2001 and 2002
(Image: Sunday Mercury)
After initially putting on some weight due to the stresses of the investigation, Mr Bunting has since lost a remarkable seven stone in the last six months, saying part of the reason was so he was “fighting ready” in the event that he does get sentenced to prison.
“I have Googled some strange things in the last year. I don’t think I will go to jail, but if they somehow find a reason to put me in there I want to be ready to defend myself. You hear all these horrible stories about prison. I just wanted to be prepared for anything they throw at me.
“I have also met a guy in the last year. We have been living together in Morocco and we recently got engaged as well. The thought of marrying the love of my life is what keeps me going after what has been a year of hell.
“So many people have said to me ‘I don’t know how you are being so positive’ and ‘how have you coped with this all year?’ I ended up moving back to Morocco as soon as possible because over here I would have people recognise me and asking about the case. I just wanted to be left alone.
“My plan now is after spending Christmas and New Year in Morocco, I’m heading back to Derby mid-January to reset my fitness classes and set up my own healthy breakfast club cafe in the South Derbyshire area – and my new fiancée is following me so we can get married here in Derby in March.”
Police are awaiting advice and a charging decision from the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr Bunting has been released under investigation. This means he has no requirement to add a police station again. However, police enquiries are still ongoing.