Matt Lucas has undergone a dramatic weight loss journey in recent years and his new slim figure has stunned The Great British Bake Off viewers. The 48-year-old comedian put his weight gain down to piling on lockdown pounds and eating "most of the cake" on the Channel 4 show.
Since overhauling his health and fitness regime, the British actor has managed to lose more weight than he put on. In fact, Matt revealed earlier in the year that he was 'thin-shamed' while out in public. As the presenter returns to the famous white tent, we take a look at his motivation to get into shape and exactly how he did it.
Too much cake
The Little Britain star recently opened up about his weight loss online, after people noticed he was looking slimmer than before.
Last month, Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: "Wow @RealMattLucas has lost so much weight", to which Matt explained he'd watched himself back on Bake Off and switched up his lifestyle.
He replied: "Thanks. Basically I was already pretty big and then I went into a large white tent and ate most of the cake inside.
"Then I saw myself on telly and thought 'I can barely fit on the screen' and realised it was time to do something about it."
Emphasising that you shouldn't deprive yourself of foods you enjoy, he added: "That said, I have just had a Pot Noodle."
Lockdown pounds
During an appearance on ITV's Lorraine last year, Matt cited the pandemic as his motivation for getting fit.
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?"
"I've lost some weight, I needed to take the edge off, because I put on a lot of weight in lockdown," Matt explained.
"I've still got a bit of a tum, I've got a little bit of a tum, I'm not a skinny minnie."
He added: "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."
Helpful housemate
In a previous Instagram video, Matt shared that he has a "personal trainer extraordinaire" in the form of housemate Jamie Barnard.
As a PT, Jamie focuses on how physical exercises has a positive impact on mental health and helps to reduce anxiety and stress.
His website states: "PMPT is all about reaping the positive benefits that exercise has on our mental state."
While Matt is yet to share any details of his exercise routine, he does follow Jamie's fitness page, Positive Mind Personal Training.
Public shaming
A run in with a rude fan earlier this year proved that the comic can't please everyone.
Matt spoke out on Twitter about being "thin-shamed" for the first time while watching Arsenal take on Manchester United at a football match.
He posted: "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."
Health concerns
Back in 2009, the Little Britain star was told by doctors to reduce his daily calorie intake over fears he may develop diabetes.
Having lost his own father John to a heart attack in 1996, Matt took the warning seriously.
Speaking to The Guardian, he revealed: "I've lost a couple of stone, and I need to lose some more. It all came off in two months. My doctor said if I wasn't careful I'd end up with self-inflicted diabetes.
"It was a counter-intuitive thing. I really like chocolate, and if I'm diabetic it'll be off-limits.
"I don't expect to be thin, but I'd like to feel a bit healthier. The problem is that I'm having to wear all these old clothes as my weight changes."
The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, September 13.
