EastEnders ’ Adam Woodyatt has revealed that he quit alcohol following a warning from doctors about his liver.
The 53-year-old actor, who plays Ian Beale in the BBC soap, left fans stunned with his new look after losing three stone during the Covid-19 lockdown. Adam said that his weight loss was down to ditching the booze.
He told The Mirror that giving up alcohol was the “biggest change” he made to his lifestyle, which helped him to lose weight and enjoy his cycling hobby. “At this point in my life, yeah, I’m quite happy not drinking,” the actor said.
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Adam revealed the reason behind his decision to stop drinking on The Nightcap podcast. “I went into hospital with a stomach issue and they pointed out my liver was probably taking a bit of a hammering,” he admitted.
Doctors advised Adam to give his liver “a rest” for six weeks - but the pandemic swept the country shortly afterwards, meaning the initial six week-period turned into twelve weeks. It was at this point that the actor decided to make the change permanent.
“I thought, ‘Do you know what - I’ve cracked this, I don’t miss it, I’m better off without it’,” Adam recalled on the podcast. “I’m not going to say never again, but at the moment no alcohol and it’s fine.”
Adam announced in August 2020 that he was taking an “extended break” from playing Ian Beale in EastEnders, and it’s not known whether he will ever reprise the role. Making his Albert Square debut in 1985, he played fan favourite Ian for 35 years and remains the longest-serving male cast member in the soap.
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