American singer Meat Loaf is currently backing the Veganuary movement, but admits he won't be changing his name anytime soon to make it more plant-based.
The 'Bat Out Of Hell' warbler, whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday, has teamed up with Frankie & Benny's to endorse the chain's new vegan menu throughout Veganuary.
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The Italian-American restaurant franchise has roped Meat Loaf in to help promote the new range, which includes the likes of Vegan Loaded Skins, a Vegan Hot Dog and the Calzone Vegano.
In a new commercial for the menu, Meat Loaf is approached by two Frankie & Benny's employees, who try to encourage him to go vegan and change his name to 'Veg Loaf'.
But he's not convinced by the prospect of rebranding himself, saying grumpily: "I'm not changing my name."
In a statement, Meat Loaf said: "When Frankie & Benny's first approached me to rebrand to Veg Loaf I said no way in hell - I won't do that.
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"But, I'd do anything for our planet and dropping meat for veg, even for just one day a week, can make a huge difference - which is why I'm backing Frankie's new vegan menu."
He added: "I've had a sneak peek at the new menu, and after hearing you folks went crazy over a vegan sausage roll last year, I know you'll love this."
There's no official word on whether the singer has decided to go vegan for the month of January, but he was once a veggie for many years, so it may not be too far-fetched.
Speaking to The Mirror about why he went veggie, he recalled: "I ordered rabbit and they served it with its head on, no ears and its eyes closed.
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"I said, 'Take this away and I want vegetables and a salad,' and from that moment I became vegetarian for maybe 11 years."
He added: "People should try and have two meatless nights a week. If everyone had a meatless night, that would save 1,600 people per steak - just multiply that!"
Eventually, Meat Loaf said he had to get back on the meat for health reasons.
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"I stopped because I wanted to lose weight," he said.
"The carbohydrate diet worked to a point, I lost 30lb but it went right back on. I lost 70lb on the low-fat no-sugar diet.
"You don't need calories, you need a lifestyle change... and less fat."
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Elise Ash, Director of Strategy & Brand Frankie & Benny's - which is offering 50 percent off vegan mains from 5-31 January to support Meat Free Mondays - said: "We wanted to encourage diners to swap Meat for Veg this January, so who better to sign up than one of the most recognised artists on the planet.
"Funnily enough, our new video isn't far off the original real-life pitch to Meat. While we couldn't convince him to rebrand to VEG LOAF, we're just delighted he's the headline act for our new vegan menu and helping spread the word on the benefits of tucking into our meat-free dishes."
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Food, Entertainment, Celebrity, Music, Vegan