History was made on Tuesday night’s episode of The Biggest Loser. And EW has an interview with the winner….all is revealed after the jump!
Danny Cahill, the 40-year-old land surveyor and father of two from Broken Arrow, Okla., is now the biggest loser — quite literally — of The Biggest Loser. Having shed 239 pounds (more than any other contestant in the show’s history), Cahill talked to EW after the Dec. 8 finale about the milestone and whether his rapid weight loss was safe.
EW: You are truly the biggest loser!
DANNY CAHILL: Yes, no one has ever lost that amount of weight. What’s crazy was that the record was 214 pounds by (season three winner) Erik Chopin and Rudy beat him, and then I beat Rudy! That was two records set in one night. This season, Rudy and I have been a great, friendly, competitive team. We love each other, we push each other, so it’s only fitting that we both set the record the same night.
Before you started The Biggest Loser, when was the last time you stepped on a scale?
Oh, I have no idea. I didn’t step on a scale for forever because I was scared to! I didn’t know how much I weighed, and when I’d go to the doctor’s office, I’d be on the scale and say, “Oh, it’s because I’m wearing shoes” or “I had my wallet in my pocket.” I mean, I was scared.
When you stepped on that scale tonight and it read 191 lbs, were you surprised?
You know, the number was a surprise because I thought it was going to be less than that. I worked hard the last two weeks. I didn’t get on the scale because you know what, I knew I had a number I need to get and I’m just going to get it. So I worked as hard as I could and I didn’t worry about the scale or the number. I knew what I was doing and I knew what I needed to do. If you do the work, the results will happen.
Because this season was so successful, the show invited scrutiny from the New York Times over whether such a rapid weight loss program was unsafe. Was it? Did you take the weight off safely?
I did nothing unhealthy. I ate right and I worked my tail off. I did nothing unhealthy. It was a natural weight loss and you can’t get any healthier than that. I was a couch potato about to have a heart attack seven months ago.
Can you answer the question we’re all secretly wondering? What’s going on with the excess skin under your T-shirt? Are you wrapped in five yards of elastic that’s holding it all in?
I’ve got some skin and you know what? Those issues will be taken care of in time (he laughs). When you weigh 430 pounds, and you had a stomach as big as I did, you’re gonna have some skin. But that’s okay, because you know what? I can run a marathon now, thanks to The Biggest Loser.More Biggest Loser from EW:
Biggest Loser finale recap: The end of the road
Biggest Loser contestant Tracey talks about being portrayed as the villain
Biggest Loser producer looks ahead to new season
Rebecca Meyer visits Jay Leno: Hottest ”Loser” ever?
Photo Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
Go Danny!! So happy for him
If you’ve ever had to lose any weight, you know how hard it is. Bravo, Danny! You look fab!
I want to know what happened to his moobs. He had ‘em bad but he looked amazing at the finale. I thought he might’ve already had his nip n’tuck.
Does the Biggest Loser provide some financial funding towards skin-removal plastic surgery? Or is it completely funded by the participant?
No funding provided. Contestents have to pony up the $$ themselves. Not a problem for Danny, but big bucks for the other.
Oh, and they looked good because of Spankx!
no nip n’tucks allowed before the finale as it would contribute to the weight loss. Bet he has at least 10 pounds of skin he’ll have to get taken off – wonder if doctors ever contribute their services to do this? Really a nice guy, glad he won.
He just 250,000.00. I am sure he can afford it….maybe for the other contestant though!
watching you guys gives inspiration and hope. congrats danny and to ur family!
Danny, you are such an inspiration to us all, congratulations, 239 lbs, amazing!
David E. Smith lost 401 pounds thanks to Chris Powell. Saw it on TLC.
I think they should tell us more about the change in their health. Such as their colestoral levels, blood pressure… That might really inspire people too…
They did for Shay and Daniel at the beginning of the show
I’m so glad Rebecca beat out Tracey for the $100K. Tracey looked unhealthy and her facial expressions freaked me out even more so than when she was fat. She looked like an anorexic Molly Shannon. While Rebecca looked fit and trim, that dress was WAY too short, as was her blonde hair, which looked like a horrible wig. She looked much better as a brunette on Jay Leno. And you can tell by her dialogue that she is VERY immature…But Danny was my favorite- AWESOME job- beating out RUDE-Y! Congrats to all!
Incredible, I made the exact same “Molly Shannon” statement last night.
MEEEEEOWWWWWWWW!
Omg! i agree completly! Tracey looked UNHEALTHY! She needs to gain back about 20lbs! Im thinkin the girl is anorexic! I was SOOO HAPPY Rebecca beat her! Rebecca was one of my faves, but wow–her look last night was a miss! She needs to go back to the dark hair asap! She and Danny are cute together!
Loved the finale!! Cant wait till next season! HOPEING SHAY LOSES A HUNDRED MORE SO SHE CAN GET THAT MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!! She looked AWESOME last night!
She and DANIEL are cute together.
OK…Rebecca was one of my favorites as well but she looked a hot mess with that hair and that dress…I always loved her hair during the show and even after the make over I was a little disappointed in the way they did it. I thought that she would be the cutest but the wig messed that up. Anyway I am glad she won and I knew Danny was going to win, he looks awesome. All of them looked great!! They should be proud.
You’re nuts. Rebecca’s a b*tch.
It didn’t look like her and Daniel were still together. She ran over to someone else when she won and he looked away. He can do much better.
Ha Ha Denise. Everything you said was everything I was going to say! Go Danny! =D
Looks like they all had some sort of spanks on under their workout clothes…That’s fine, because it would hold all the jiggly skin in place…you could see rebecca and some others adjusting through the night…
I was happy that Danny won!! Rebecca too!! I am so proud of Shay – she looked beautiful!
I Love To See How Much Hard Work Goes Into Loosing So Much Weight And On The Finale Night How Good Everyone Looks Way To Go Danny And Shay U Look A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Yes I Do Think Also That Rebecca Is VERY Childish, I Do Think She Looked Good And Was Very Excited BUt Happy Or Not Ur On T.V. Grow Up… I Thought The Engagment Was So Sweet Congrats….Well I Am Going To Go Work Out Myself. I Could Talk For HOURS
If you do… Will You Please Stop Capitalizing The First Letter Of Every Word You Type?
Beyond my snippy comment- I do agree with you 100%. I loved the engagement, and most of the cast seem like great people who deserve to be happy.
Way to go Danny! As a person from Oklahoma, it was great to see a local boy go all the way. We are all so proud of you.
bridgett — why do you capitalize every word?
My family and I watched the fianle last night, and we couldn’t be happier! Danny looks amazing, we are so happy for him and for all of the contestants. They really are an inspiration.
amazing! amazing! amazing! Congrats to Danny, Rudy and everyone else on the show this season!