AimsTo describe early progress of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, a behavioural intervention designed to prevent or delay onset of Type 2 diabetes in people in England already identified to be at high risk, to assess numbers of referrals received by Programme providers and the proportion that attended the initial assessment, and to identify the factors associated with attendance rates.MethodsThese analyses examine the data for referrals received between June 2016 and March 2017.ResultsThere were 43 603 referrals received, 16% higher than expected. Of those referred, 49% attended the initial assessment, higher than the 40% modelled uptake. Of those referred, there was no significant difference in uptake by sex (P=0.061); however, attendance per 100 000 population varied significantly by sex, age group, ethnicity and deprivation; it was significantly lower for men (P<0.001), higher as age increased (P<0.001) and higher for individuals from Asian, Afro‐Caribbean, mixed and other ethnic groups compared with individuals from white European groups (P<0.001). There was significant interaction between attendance rates by ethnicity and deprivation (P<0.001) such that attendance rates were significantly higher in the most deprived quintile vs the least deprived quintile for Asian, Afro‐Caribbean, mixed and other ethnic groups but not significantly different for white European ethnic groups.ConclusionThe analyses show that referral numbers and percentage uptake are in excess of prior modelled values. Characteristics of attendees suggest that the programme is reaching those who are both at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and who typically access healthcare less effectively.