Bake off and Little Britain star Matt Lucas has been sporting a slimmed down figure recently. He says he's slimmer and fitter after "he just had to do something about" the weight he gained during lockdown.
Lucas, who was one of the latest subjects of the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? series in which his family's inspiring story was revealed, says his weight loss has created a mixed reaction from fans. He even said he'd been 'thin-shamed'.
Writing on Twitter after a trip to the Emirates to see his beloved Arsenal last season, he said: "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."
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So, what is the secret to Lucas's dieting success? Especially when he is surrounded by cakes, biscuits and pastries during The Great British Bake Off filming. Leicestershire Live delved a little deeper and shared with what they'd discovered about Lucas's weight loss.
Looking back at footage from his appearance on ITV's Lorraine last year, Matt discussed his transformation and his secrets to keeping the weight off. Host Lorraine Kelly asked: "How on earth, though, have you been in lockdown and working on Bake Off and you've lost tonnes of weight?"
Matt corrected: "I've lost some weight, I needed to take the edge off, because I put on a lot of weight in lockdown." Lorraine replied: "Oh I have, I think lots of people have."
And, like many, it spurred Matt on to take action. He added: "I just had to do something about it." Lorraine commented: "Yes, just not eat as much and move around a wee bit more, that’s kind of what you have to do."
Acknowledging his journey, Matt said: "I've still got a bit of a tum, I've got a little bit of a tum, I'm not a skinny minnie." To which Lorraine added: "No, but then you would look daft if you were, it wouldn't be you."
Revealing he was keen to "get fit" after lockdown saw him gain weight, he said: "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."
One of Matt's secrets to keeping the weight off though is not exactly a tip everyone can follow. His housemate, Jamie, is a "personal trainer extraordinaire" according to the Bake Off presenter.
More recently, Matt appeared on BBC's The One Show alongside his mother Diana to discuss the Who Do You Think you Are? show, his Jewish heritage and roots. Fans soon took to social media to comment on his inspiring story and his slimmed down appearance.
One Twitter user wrote: "Matt Lucas is looking in cracking shape, what's your secret?". Another said: "Wow fellow Gooner you look amazing, well done on your weight loss. Who do you think you are was so interesting x". Someone else added: "Looking really well Matt! Wish I had your willpower!"
Others commenting on his story, said: "Thank you for sharing, I wept for your family and for all who had their lives taken that way .. very thought provoking and we should never forget .. thank you xx." Another said: "Harrowing I might add, but very important. Thank you again Matt." A third added: "Wow what an emotional watch from me whose mother was born in Berlin in 1931, much respect for telling your family story thank you. I do hope we get to hear about the Uruguayan relations story."
Catch up with Matt Lucas's Who Do You Think You Are? story on BBC iPlayer.
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