A slimmed-down Matt Lucas hosting GBBO
(Picture: Channel 4)Great British Bake Off host Matt Lucas has revealed how his dad’s death at 52 inspired him to overhaul his lifestyle and kickstart his weightloss.
The 48-year-old explained that a penchant for roast potatoes during the pandemic left him feeling “big” and as though he “couldn’t really fit on screen any more”.
While questioning his body image, Lucas reflected on his father’s sudden death aged 52, just four years older than the comedian is now, and recognised that he had to do something to better his mind, body, and soul.
Speaking on The Mid Point podcast, he told host Gabby Logan: “I’m 48, my dad died when he was 52, very suddenly. His dad died when he was, I think, 56. I was looking at the law of averages here.
“I was very big and I was getting bigger in the pandemic. Not being very active, not going out, eating a lot of roast potatoes. I was so big, I couldn’t really fit on screen any more.
“I’ve still got a proper tummy. I’m not skinny, by any means. I’ve just lost some weight. I’ve gone from a XXL, sometimes I was XXXL, down to a medium now, I think.
“Although, sometimes, medium is big on me and sometimes it is small on me.
“I do feel a bit better. I feel a bit relieved. I don’t do any drugs and I don’t smoke and I hardly ever drink. It’s just the food, really. But now I don’t eat as much.”
The TV star added that he still eats sweets but has cut back on his portions and gets his exercise by walking by a canal near his home.
Tuesday night marked the return of Bake Off and fans complimented the Little Britain star in their droves about how well he looked.
One viewer tweeted: "Can’t get over how much weight matt lucas has lost!! #GBBO".
"Kudos to Matt Lucas he’s lost weight and looks good. He’s looks like he did in 1995 on Shooting Stars. #GBBO," another wrote.
A third added: “Holy heck at the weight loss of @RealMattLucas - he looks really well.”
Notably other viewers criticised fans for discussing his body, with one writing: “Too many people talking about Matt Lucas’ body tonight.
“Whatever is going on for him is no one’s business but his own. This constant obsession with making comments about other people’s weight needs to stop.”
The Great British Bake Off airs Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
