Fresh off the Lionesses’ history-making EURO victory, football star, Ella Toone, is stepping into a brand-new role as the latest celebrity coach on the NHS Couch to 5K app.
Toone, who played a pivotal role in helping England secure their second consecutive European title, brings her winning mindset and infectious energy to the app’s guided running programme.
Developed by the Department of Health and Social Care, in partnership with BBC Sport, the NHS Couch to 5K app offers a free, structured running programme, designed to guide absolute beginners through a gradual transition from couch-bound spectators to confident runners. The app has been downloaded over 7 million times since it first launched in 2016, with 9.3 million NHS Couch to 5k runs started in 2024.
Ella’s leadership and resilience on the pitch can now translate into her new coaching role, where she’ll be motivating runners across the country to achieve their own personal victories. She joins a lineup of motivational voices including the BBC’s Jo Whiley, Sarah Millican, Steve Cram, and Denise Lewis.
Ella Toone said: “I’ve never been the biggest fan of running, unless there’s a ball involved! But being part of the Couch to 5K app has shown me how important movement can be, not just for fitness but for your mindset too. You don’t have to love running to start, you just have to take that first step and I’m excited to help you do that.”
Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said, “We know that incorporating regular exercise into our everyday lives is vital in boosting our physical and mental wellbeing.
“The Couch to 5k app is a fantastic, free resource that I would encourage everyone to give a try, and we are delighted to have Ella on board to inspire the next generation of runners.
“By taking small steps to becoming more active, we can make a big difference in reducing the risk of long-term illnesses and reliving pressure on our NHS, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.”
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said, “The NHS Couch to 5K app is a brilliant way to get fit, and hundreds of thousands of people are already using it to enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.
“Keeping fit can have a positive impact on our health and can prevent serious conditions developing such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. It can also support recovery from illness and can prepare people for health interventions such as surgery or chemotherapy.
“Whether you’re a beginner or simply looking to improve your fitness, Couch to 5K is a great way to build your exercise confidence and I hope even more people start using it to reap the rewards of moving more.”
Support is available via the app to help people to overcome setbacks with helpful articles and videos as well as the “Beyond Couch” runs for users who complete the 9 weeks but want to improve further on speed, stamina and technique.
The app points users to curated running playlists on BBC Sounds to make exercise more enjoyable, with ‘buddy runs’ also available to encourage running with a friend, in real life or virtually.
Earlier this year the BBC also launched a new Couch to 5k podcast with Giovanna Fletcher on BBC Sounds.
RM4