Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects over 1 million individuals in the UK and results in costs of over £450 million per year to the National Health Service (NHS). Current rhythm control strategies are limited by high recurrences of AF. New strategies tackling more upstream pathophysiological mechanisms are most needed. The incidence and prevalence of AF markedly increase with age, whilst obesity is the strongest modifiable risk factor for AF. Preliminary data in relatively young patients suggest that weight loss programmes may reduce AF burden and improve AF-related symptoms. Such programmes could be a widely-applicable and cost-effective option in AF management if they are also effective in elderly patients with AF, particularly if they also improve physical performance. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate whether, in older overweight/obese AF patients, referral to a weight loss programme with meal replacement \& behavioral support can reduce AF-recurrences and improve physical performance compared to usual care. Study design Parallel-group, open-label, multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Elderly individuals (60-85 years) with persistent AF and elevated body mass index (BMI; ≥ 27 kg/m2) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to (a) referral to a meal replacement programme with behavioral support (intervention) or (b) usual care (control) for 32-to-36 weeks. The primary endpoints are AF recurrence and physical performance test (PPT) score. Participants randomised to the study intervention will be referred to a commercial provider (CP) providing the intervention. The co-primary endpoints of AF recurrence \& PPT score will be analysed irrespective of compliance during the scheduled treatment period following an intention-to-treat principle.