25 September 2023 , 19:00
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Fans tuning into last year's season of The Great British Bake Off were stunned to see co-host Matt Lucas step into the tent cutting a much trimmer figure, with some social media users begging him to "drop his diet tips". Many had no clue at the time however that the actor and comedian had a heartbreaking reason for his lifestyle change, and it's one a number of people can sadly relate to all too well. The 49-year-old funnyman has previously spoken out candidly about his dramatic weight loss journey and the public reaction he's since received, including his very first instance of "thin shaming".
Matt lost his father at a very young age (Getty Images)Loss of father and fears over health
During a 2022 episode of Gabby Logan's Mid.Point podcast, Matt opened up about how his family's medical history sparked alarm bells, with both his father and grandfather dying at relatively young ages. Matt, who was just 22 when he lost his dad, explained: "I'm 48, my dad died when he was 52, very suddenly, his dad died I think at 56 so I was looking at the law of averages here. I was very big and I was getting bigger in the pandemic actually. Sort of not being very active, not really going out, not seeing people, just eating a lot of roast potatoes. I can't tell you how many roast potatoes I ate!"
He added: "I was so big I couldn't really fit on screen anymore. The thing is if you're big, and by the way I've still got a proper tummy, I'm not skinny, by any means, I've just lost some weight. I've gone from maybe an XXL, sometimes I was an XXXL, down to a medium now I think. Although medium is sometimes big on me and sometimes it's small on me."
This isn't the first time the Little Britain star has shed the pounds on account of health concerns. Back in 2009, when he was 35, Matt told The Guardian that he'd managed to drop a "couple of stone" in just two months after his doctor warned he was at risk of developing "self-inflicted diabetes".
Fans were taken aback by Matt's dramatic transformation (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Matt enjoys plenty of long walks, and makes sure to watch what he eats (PA)Love of sweets and walks by the canal
During the same podcast episode, Matt revealed that he'd made an effort to eat less, but didn't deprive himself of treats, admitting, "I just don't eat as much, but I eat sweets still. I love sweets." On top of switching his eating habits up, Matt also took to taking long walks by the canal near his home, either alone or with a pal.
TV doc Michael Mosley says of last meal of day time is cruical to losing weight
Speaking with Lorraine Kelly last year, Matt remarked that he was keen to up his exercise regime, reflecting: "The one thing I need to do is get fitter, I have put on a little bit of weight, that's my next challenge to do a bit more exercise. I might have to make a game of it when I go out and exercise to stay out of people's way. I don't have a garden so I have to find a way to do that."
Luckily, Matt's housemate Jamie Barnard would appear to be a useful friend to have as he's a personal trainer who focuses on how "physical exercise benefits our state of mind, reduces anxiety, stress, elevates mood and improves self-esteem", as per his website Positive Mind Personal Training (PMPT). Matt has previously sung Jamie's praises in an Instagram video, declaring him to be a "personal trainer extraordinaire".
Rude fans and 'thin shaming'
In April 2022, Matt took to Twitter to share his first experience of "thin shaming", which apparently happened at an Arsenal versus Manchester United football match. The presenter tweeted: "Shout out to the lady who stopped me at football today to ask me why I've lost weight and to inform me I look a lot older. For the first time in my life, I think I've just been thin-shamed."
Fans were quick to express indignation on Matt's behalf, with one person commenting: "Sorry to hear this. What business is it of theirs? We are intelligent people listening to our bodies. Leave us alone!" Another wrote: "Sadly people will always judge no matter what. Oh, how it must feel to be perfect. You look great, don't let anyone bring you down."