Work Out's Doug Blasdell passes away

Bravo just issued a statement regarding what a reader wrote in tell me a short time ago: Doug Blasdell, one of the trainers on Bravo's reality show Work Out, was suddenly hospitalized over this weekend and died unexpectedly yesterday.

Here is the official statement from Bravo:

All of us at Bravo are deeply saddened by the terrible news of Doug Blasdell's untimely passing. He was an inspiring trainer, an exuberant colleague who made the gym a very fun place each and every day and was extraordinarily warm in all aspects of his life. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his many friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.

We had the opportunity to interview Doug about his role on the show. The forty-four year old trainer was a funny, affable presence. Given that he was eleven years older than anyone else on the show, he sort of served as the "father" figure on the program. Doug told us one of his purposes in going on the show was to give kids in Nebraska a portrayal of a "gay man as a healthy guy who is somewhat good looking and normal."

Doug was born in Burbank, CA and attended college at the University of Southern California where he earned a degree in Business in 1988. Doug was single when we interviewed him, and Bravo's statement did not indicate whom he is survived by.

Our condolences go out to Doug's friends and family.