Simon Cowell cut out dairy, sugar, gluten and red meat from his diet to drop four stone in four years, reports The Express. The 62-year-old music mogul, who is best known for producing TV talent shows including Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor, was told by a doctor that he needed to get his diet in order.
Speaking to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres in 2019, Cowell said he was inspired to improve his physical health to keep up with his son Eric, now eight. He said his doctor told him at the time: "You have the worst diet I have ever met from any patient."
He was given the ultimatum that he needed to stop one of his unhealthy habits – smoking, drinking alcohol or eating poorly – in order to get back on track. Agreeing to give up dairy, sugar, gluten and red meat, Cowell said he soon felt better while still being able to enjoy a beer.
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Speaking to The Sun last month, the TV personality said he now eats "loads" of vegetables and has increased the amount he cooks. He said: “If you’re on a diet you have to keep the food sensible, but it’s got to be interesting and tasty, then the diet’s surprisingly easy."
One of the biggest challenges, Cowell said, is when he sees Eric enjoying a pizza, which is the "number one thing" he misses. He has combined dieting with a workout routine including cycling, walking and weight lifting.
Cowell is currently appearing in series 15 of Britain's Got Talent, which airs Saturday evenings on ITV. It marks his return to the show after sustaining an injury while cycling in 2020.
