Mr Motivator – whose real name is Derrick Evans – has been unveiled as a brand ambassador for Innerva, the exercise equipment company.

Derrick, who is 73 this month, inspires people to stay active through a wide range of activities. These include running free live and on-demand fitness classes and accessible exercise sessions for up to 250 holidaymakers on Saga Cruises.

Derrick said: ‘I’m excited to start this partnership with Innerva. We share the same values and want to raise the profile of active ageing. I’m living proof that movement can be medicine, especially as we get older. Maintaining independence and dignity is only possible if we look after ourselves and stay active. ‘

Derrick claimed that many older people feel neglected by government and overlooked by the fitness industry. ‘We need to empower older adults and help them find spaces where they feel welcomed and supported, can exercise safely and connect with others,’ he added.

Timely move

The partnership comes as MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee conduct an inquiry into healthy ageing, with experts such as chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty emphasising how movement is key to independence and preventing ill health in later life.

Contributors including Sir Muir Gray, Age UK and the Centre for Better Ageing have highlighted the barriers older adults face in staying active, from the language used around exercise to the lack of opportunities on offer.

‘I’m passionate about what I do because I see the real difference that activity makes in people’s lives. After three weeks taking part in my classes on a cruise, I’ve watched people who relied on walking sticks throw them away,’ Derrick noted.

‘The fitness industry has the power to help people maintain their health and independence in older age, but it needs to actively promote to this market with activities tailored to their needs rather than treating them as an afterthought,’ he added.

‘We need to empower older adults and help them find spaces where they feel welcomed and supported, can exercise safely and connect with others’ [Derrick Evans]

Nobody does it better

Laura Childs, Innerva’s head of marketing, said: ‘We couldn’t think of a better person to represent our vision for active ageing than Mr Motivator. Still exercising every day, he is the living and breathing embodiment of what it means to age well.’

Laura added: ‘With [Derrick’s] energy and passion, we want to spearhead a new movement for active ageing across the UK, creating fun, engaging and social exercise spaces in communities across the county to serve this growing demographic and help people age well.’

Derrick’s background

Sporting eye-catching outfits and engaging viewers through his outgoing personality, Derrick shot to fame as a fitness coach in the 1990s through his popular fitness sessions on ITV’s GMTV. 

He returned to GMTV in 2009 for the NHS Change 4 Life campaign and joined BBC HealthCheck UK Live in 2020 to keep the nation moving during lockdown. He received an MBE for his services to health and fitness in 2020.

To find out about Innerva’s power assisted technology and more, click