Jason Manford has opened up about how he lost three stone in just 18 months, revealing his transformation has nothing to do with weight loss injections.
The comedian and actor, 44, has been showing off a noticeably slimmer figure in recent months, with fans quick to comment on his new look. While drugs such as Ozempic have become increasingly popular among celebrities seeking to shed pounds, Manford says his results came from lifestyle changes and a new sporting passion.
The father of six credits padel tennis with helping him drop the weight.
“I’ve been on it with padel tennis. I’ve lost probably about three stone, I think, in around 18 months,” he said.
“I got into it, and then I got a bit obsessed with it, and we’ve got a little fitness group, me and a load of dads.”
Speaking to The Sun, Manford said a warning from his doctor gave him the push he needed to take his health more seriously. He was told he could face knee replacement surgery if he did not slim down, as his knees were “sore all the time”.
The former Waterloo Road star acknowledged he was fortunate enough to be able to afford personal training and see a nutritionist, but said support from friends was equally important.
“Fundamentally, irrespective of being able to throw some money at it, actually, that WhatsApp group with me brother and a couple of mates, and just every so often posting a picture of one of them’s just done a run, or one of them, you know, we’re all in the same boat, we’re just trying, you need somebody else to just try and be there for you,” he said.
When fans first noticed his weight loss last year, they flooded his social media pages with praise. One wrote: “You look loads younger?!” while others commented: “Looking very trim!”, “Looking lean” and “You look brilliant!”
Manford has also recently spoken out about so-called cancel culture in comedy, questioning claims made by some high-profile performers.
“Look at the most watched shows on Netflix, they are Ricky Gervais, they’re Jimmy Carr, they’re Jim Jefferies and Dave Chappelle,” he said.
“Makes me laugh, Ricky and Dave say, ‘Oh, I’ve been cancelled’… I think I wish I was cancelled. He just signed a 20 million pound Netflix deal. I’d love to be that cancelled. I’m on a worldwide arena tour being cancelled.”
Last year, Manford was forced to cancel several stand-up shows after being rushed to hospital with appendicitis.
Reflecting on how comedy is consumed today, he said jokes can land very differently online compared to in a live setting.
“Sat around the table with your family reading a joke that was said the night before in front of a room full of people hits different,” he said.
“In the room on the night, you can see a wink in the eye. You can hear the tone of voice. You know there’s no malice behind it. Live comedy is still as fun and as raucous and as edgy as it’s ever been.”
