Mark 'The Beast' Labbett has shared how he has lost nearly five stone of weight after changing his habits after a suspected battle against coronavirus.
The professional quizzer, who made his name on ITV's The Chase, said that he'd been suffering with 'the worst fever of my life' and spoke about how his diabetes gave him the kick up the backside that he needed to lose the weight.
He previously weighed more than 27 stone, but has now managed to get his weight down to beneath 23 stone, and wants to continue on losing more and more timber as he goes.
He told The Sun on Sunday: "I got suspected Covid at the end of February, and got sent home from work, for the first time in 15 years, on Wednesday 27th. ITV were brilliant and took no chances.
"Because the testing capacity was so limited then, I never formally got a test but all I can say is that for two weeks I had complete loss of appetite, no sense of smell, a temperature, exhaustion and the worst fever of my life."
He then spoke about another symptom that caused 'rapid attacks' in the night that left him feeling too weak to even eat or drink.
He continued: "I basically didn't eat for two weeks but since then the weight has continued to drop off because I have continued to eat sensibly. I knew I had to.
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"I am still losing weight and beginning to notice the difference in photos which, I can assure you, are not Photoshopped!"
54-year-old Labbett has shared several pictures showing how much he's lost, including one where he tugs on the waistline of his trousers to show off how much he has slimmed down.
He captioned that: "Gradually losing the waistline."
Mark also credited his weight loss to a medical examination that revealed that he was in a 'red' category for his weight, and is clinically obese.
That appointment made him consider his weight, alongside his diabetes, and resolve to get into better shape. It seems to be working.
He also said that his three-year-old child- with his wife Katie, who he married in 2014 - keeps him on his toes and active, crediting 'giving up chocolate' and 'running after' his young son as a factor in his personal improvement.
Labbett was asked to become one of the regular panel of opponents to contestants on The Chase after he appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Mastermind.
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