Joe Wicks' comeback bid as fans turn on him

TL;DR

Marathon Claim Backlash: Joe Wicks faces fan outrage after claiming on a podcast he ran a marathon without water, food, or toilet breaks, prompting accusations of dangerous advice.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)
Wife's Promo Role: Insiders say Wicks and team plan to feature his wife Rosie more prominently in content to regain public favour amid recent controversies.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)
Repeated Scrutiny: Wicks feels fed up as past stunts like a frozen lake dip and a UPF documentary also drew heavy criticism, hurting his confidence.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

The story at a glance

Joe Wicks, the former lockdown PE teacher, has drawn fresh backlash for podcast comments suggesting minimal fuel suffices for a marathon, leading fans to call him dangerous. Insiders reveal he's upset at the scrutiny and plans to spotlight his wife Rosie, a former Page 3 model, in upcoming videos to rebuild his image. This comes amid prior controversies like a cold water swim and a documentary on ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The article reports on these tensions now, tied to his upcoming London Marathon promo with Daddy Pig.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Key points

Wicks, 40, claimed on a podcast he completed a marathon with no water, no food beyond porridge and a banana, and no toilet breaks, saying runners don't need as much as told.
The Running Channel removed the segment after runner backlash labelling it irresponsible and unsafe for average participants.
Wicks backtracked, saying he shared personal experience, not advice, but insiders say the criticism has left him furious and confused.
In January, a shirtless 1C frozen lake dip earned him "dangerous" and "idiotic" labels from fans.
October's Channel 4 documentary Joe Wicks: Licensed To Kill used a spoof "killer" protein bar to highlight UPF risks but sparked uproar over affordability, scaremongering, and judging parents.
Family homeschools four children aged 6, 5, 2, and nearly 1; Wicks teaches phonics while running his business.
Rosie, married to Wicks since 2019, showed a six-pack 10 weeks postpartum and is set for more on-camera appearances to aid his comeback.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Details and context

The article frames Wicks' shift from Covid hero, when his living-room workouts reached millions, to a figure under constant analysis for fitness claims and family choices. Insiders describe his plan to leverage Rosie's appeal—once a glamour model, now an "earth mother" to mums and remembered by men from Page 3—as a bid to stay relevant. This follows emotional strain from backlash, including a week of doubt after the UPF film where he aimed to inspire healthier eating but upset people on sensitive topics like convenience foods.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Wicks' parenting, like pulling daughter Indie from school in 2023 for travel and home education, has long drawn attention; none of the children now attend school. Examples include son Marley doing chin-ups at three and baby Leni hanging from a pull-up bar. Rosie exercised through pregnancies despite night wakings, which Wicks praised publicly.

His upcoming London Marathon run promotes training Daddy Pig from Peppa Pig, with three weekly sessions, but the tied-in podcast flopped spectacularly.

Key quotes

“Joe has always been a huge hit with the public, but has recently found it very tough. He feels like everything he does and says is so heavily analysed, and he’s frankly pretty fed up with it.” (Insider)[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

“I ran a marathon with no water, no toilet breaks and no food, so I don’t think we really need as much as we are told. The average runner, if you had a bowl of porridge and a banana, you are going to get round.” (Joe Wicks, on podcast)[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

“I wasn’t prepared for it, emotionally. It definitely knocked my confidence. For a week, I was like, ‘Have I done the wrong thing?’” (Joe Wicks, on UPF documentary backlash)[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Why it matters

Public figures like Wicks shape everyday health habits for millions, so perceived bad advice risks real harm like dehydration or injury in followers. Fans and influencers face pressure to stay relevant amid scrutiny, potentially altering authentic content strategies. Watch his London Marathon performance and Rosie-featured videos for signs of image rebound or further backlash.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

What changed

Wicks was universally loved as the nation's PE teacher during Covid lockdowns six years ago. Now fans brand him "dangerous" and "moaning" after repeated controversies, with insiders plotting a comeback via his wife. This shift intensified after the recent podcast clip, edited out by the host amid outrage.

FAQ

Q: Why did fans criticise Joe Wicks' marathon comments?

A: He said he ran a marathon without water, food beyond porridge and a banana, or toilet breaks, implying average runners need little fuel. Runners called it irresponsible and dangerous, especially for beginners; the podcast host removed the segment.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Q: What prior stunt led to Wicks being called dangerous?

A: In January, he took a shirtless dip in a 1C frozen lake, prompting fans to label it idiotic and risky. This added to scrutiny of his fitness examples.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Q: How did the UPF documentary affect Wicks emotionally?

A: Backlash accused him of scaremongering on ultra-processed foods and judging parents on convenience items, knocking his confidence for a week. He questioned if he'd done wrong but vowed to continue inspiring health.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)

Q: What role will Rosie play in Wicks' plans?

A: Insiders say featuring her more in videos will win back favour, highlighting her as pretty, smart, inspiring, and supportive behind the scenes. She shifts from Page 3 past to earth mother image.[[1]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38877088/joe-wicks-outrage-fans-turn-him/)