TV kidney-swop show was a grotesque hoax
A grotesque reality show in which critically ill contestants competed to win a kidney has turned out to be a hoax.
Holland's Big Donor Show - created by Endemol, the makers of Big Brother - ended by revealing 'brain cancer victim' Lisa is really a perfectly healthy actress called Leonie.
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The three contestants who were vying for the kidney
The would-be recipients of the kidney she was offering to donate before her 'imminent death' were also in on the scam.
However, they really are on dialysis and do all need to find a kidney donor, as each made clear in 80 minutes of heart-wrenching personal testimony during the show.
The programme had been condemned by politicians and doctors in Holland.
But announcing the last-minute twist, Patrick Lodiers, the show's presenter, said: "We have done this to highlight the chronic donor problem in Holland.
"Although she is an actress, the people who wanted her kidney are really dialysis patients and have been on a transplant waiting list for years. We hope tonight that we have shaken some consciences." Scroll down for more...
The audience is let in on the 'secret'
The makers then showed a 30-second round-up of international news bulletins, all of which roundly trashed the concept of the show.
Mr Lodiers went on: "We didn't give into pressure and it is just as well because there is a big shortage of organs to be donated." He said the average waiting time in Holland for a kidney is four and a half years, adding: "Nowhere in Europe is the waiting time longer."
The show began with a film about the station founder's battle with kidney failure before switching to a video by the actress playing Lisa.
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Healthy after all: Leonie the actress on the Big Donor show
She was pictured walking around her home town of Arnhem saying: "Last March I was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer."
After the film she appeared in the studio and admitted her decision would be 'hard' on the two failed candidates.
The show's makers had found 25 matches for Lisa but she had to narrow the list down to just three.
She ruled out five contestants over 50, all of the smokers, those without a job or doing voluntary work, two because they were 'too young' and some because she simply did not like their hobbies.
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The show's producers front the media to explain themselves
"I do feel like meeting the ones that I have chosen,' she said, and, on cue, the would-be recipients emerged into the studio.
First out was Esther-Claire, 40. Following her was Vincent, 18. Last to emerge was Charlotte, 29.
All three clapped 'Lisa' at the end of the show. Esther said: "The public are just too lazy and cannot be bothered to fill in a form and the politicians are too lazy."
Addressing the audience, she added: "Fill in a form! Become a donor!" Vincent said: "We really surprised everyone. I hope we woke people up tonight."
