A TV star fitness instructor has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a gym colleague had an allergic reaction to the chocolate he brought to work.
Jody Bunting, 45, took a bar of his “favourite” fruit and nut to the Derby Court Mickleover Hotel, where he works in the health club, while a co-worker with a severe nut allergy was off sick in October last year.
Having not finished it he told other co-workers he had left it in the back room for those on the late shift and went on holiday to Morocco the next day.
Mr Bunting, who used to present diet and fitness sessions on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, said his colleague suffered an anaphylactic shock when she returned to work five days later and was taken to hospital, where she spent five days in the intensive care unit.
When Mr Bunting returned from his holiday Derbyshire Police were waiting for him at Luton Airport and he was arrested as he got off the plane.
He said: “The police launched an investigation. They have CCTV of me taking the chocolate into the club and they are saying because I knew she was allergic to it I tried to kill her.”
Mr Bunting described the experience as “surreal”.
He added: “I kind of knew they were there for me. When I was on holiday the health club members warned me the police were investigating in the club and my name was being bandied around – I brought the chocolate in.”
The fitness guru says the health club sells chocolate protein bars and claimed there have been previous incidents where his colleague has suffered an allergic reaction, including a coffee morning for the Macmillan cancer charity when two members brought chocolate cakes.
But he is now “so scared” of what could happen if police proceed with charges. “If I did get convicted it would be life,” he said.
Derbyshire Police said in a statement: “A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and wounding with intent on 2 November.
“He has been bailed as investigations continue.
“The arrest relates to an incident at the Mickleover Court Hotel in Derby between 22 and 29 October 2023.”
Mr Bunting said his bail conditions prevent him from contacting his colleague or going to work at the hotel, where he has worked since 2001 as a fitness instructor and teaching aqua aerobics classes.
