"The Biggest Loser" has been canceled after 17 seasons, according to a new report.
The reality TV show's resident doctor, Dr. Robert Huizenga, tells the Daily Mail that the weight loss competition won't be returning due to recent bad publicity. Court documents show that Huizenga blamed a former contestant's allegations that participants were encouraged to take illegal weight loss pills in a lawsuit.
Huizenga sued Joelle Gwynn, who appeared on the show in 2008, and the New York Post last year over an article claiming he was giving out Adderall, typically prescribed for ADHD symptoms, to suppress appetite. He also denied giving contestants drugs containing ephedra extract, which has been banned by the FDA.
"Ms. Gwynn's outrageous accusations, which resulted in the cancellation of 'The Biggest Loser' and Dr. Huizenga losing two other opportunities on television, are particularly egregious given Dr. Huizenga's strict life-long anti-drug beliefs and strict anti-drug policy on 'The Biggest Loser,' where he did not even permit contestants to take legal, over-the-counter caffeine pills or drink more than one cup of coffee, much less illegal drugs," court papers state.
NBC has not confirmed whether or not the show is cancelled, but a rep told the Post that no episodes of "The Biggest Loser" are currently in production.
There is "no update at this time about a future season," the spokesperson said.
Auburn's Joe Messina competed on season 13 of "The Biggest Loser" in 2012, but quit after three episodes after his brother was eliminated and felt he needed to be with his fiancee and children.
"The Biggest Loser," which premiered in 2004, has faced a number of controversies. Fitness guru Jillian Michaels said she was fired from the show in 2014 after criticizing how much weight season 15 winner Rachel Frederickson lost -- 155 pounds, or 60 percent of her body weight. Personal trainer Bob Harper, who had been on the show every season and hosted the 17th season last year, sparked health concerns when he collapsed at a gym in February with a heart attack.
The show has also been accused of encouraging unhealthy weight loss regimens for years. A 2016 study of 14 contestants from season 8 of "The Biggest Loser" found most regained weight lost on the show, sometimes exceeding their original weight. Attempts to keep the weight off was nearly impossible, as metabolic rates slowed and hormones triggered constant state of hunger and cravings.
"The Biggest Loser" last aired in February 2016, when Roberto Hernandez won the $250,000 grand prize on season 17. Past contestants included Auburn's Joe Messina, who quit the show's 13th season after just three episodes.