‘What if I was still fat?’: Gregg Wallace, 56, says Covid-19 pandemic makes him ‘fearful for older, overweight men’ after shedding four stone by ditching booze and takeaways
- Masterchef host Gregg, 56, transformed from over 16 stone to under 12 stone
- Started losing weight after doctors told him he was at risk of having heart attack
- Began working out and ditched Chinese and Indian takeaways along with booze
- Says news Covid affects overweight older men has been another wake up call
Gregg Wallace says the Covid-19 pandemic has made him ‘fearful’ for overweight men, after he shed four stone by cutting out unhealthy food and booze.
The Masterchef host, 56, started losing weight in 2017 after doctors warned him he was heading for a heart attack if he didn’t change his ways – dropping down to 12st from over 16st.
He admitted that prior to hitting his goal weight in April of last year, he was indulging in five pints a night in the pub, along with multiple Chinese and Indian takeaways for dinner.
In an interview with The Telegraph, he said the news that Covid-19 greatly affects overweight, older men has been yet another wake up call, saying: ‘I remember thinking, “Oh God, what if I was still fat? I could have been really ill.”
Gregg Wallace (pictured before his weight loss in 2009) says the Covid-19 pandemic has made him ‘fearful’ for overweight men after he shed four stone
The Masterchef host, 56, started losing weight in 2017 dropping down to 12st (pictured) from over 16st
He said: ‘I felt incredibly relieved that if I caught it I’d probably be OK. It’s made me fearful for other men.’
The presenter’s first step to losing weight was cutting out booze, reducing his regular five pints a day to two pub visits a week, followed by swapping fried foods and pizzas for healthy home cooked meals.
Gregg has often showcased the fruits of his labour on social media, wowing fans with shirtless snaps following his amazing weight loss.
As well as the news his high cholesterol levels were putting his health at risk, Gregg was inspired to stick to his new overhauled lifestyle thanks to his younger wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 34 and their son Sid.
He was inspired to stick to his new overhauled lifestyle thanks to his younger wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 34 (pictured) and their son Sid
Speaking to Closer magazine, Gregg who also has two grown-up children with ex-wife Denise, previously said his youngest child gave him the ultimate motivation to overhaul his physique.
He said: ‘Having my baby boy made me want to be fit and strong. I can now go for long walks, which I wouldn’t have been able to do before.’
The TV star married wife Anne-Marie in August 2016 at a luxurious ceremony in Hever Castle in Kent.
He admitted that it is the almost 20-year age difference between them which further drives him to be fit and healthy.
Gregg keeps up his weight loss with regular work-outs five times a week and has launched his own website showme.fit
Gregg keeps up his weight loss with regular work-outs five times a week and has launched his own website showme.fit which helps others achieve a healthier lifestyle.
On the platform, Gregg shares tips from his own personal fitness journey alongside exercise routines with his personal trainer.
His wife Anna provides extra healthy recipe ideas and there is additional nutritional and psychological advice to help users overcome their fitness challenges.