Les Dennis, a Strictly Come Dancing judge, has opened up more about changing his lifestyle after being diagnosed with an illness.
The 69-year-old Family Fortunes presenter has claimed that he shed three stone after experiencing the “greatest wake-up call” in 2017 while performing in a touring production of The Addams Family.
Les, who has three children, boys Thomas and Philip, and daughter Eleanor, has lost 15 stone by following healthy habits such as avoiding alcohol and walking 10,000 steps every day.
The comic previously disclosed that he had laryngitis while portraying Uncle Fester in the stage performance and missed the final ten weeks, which he characterised as a “alarm bell” that drove him to take action.
During this period, Les said he ‘piled on the pounds’ by eating unhealthily and subsisting on takeaways, despite a doctor’s warning that he was ‘pre-diabetic.’
But, now, due to his new regime Les told The Sun he has been able to reverse the Type 2 pre-diabetes diagnosis.
He explained: ‘Luckily I caught it early enough to say, “Right, here we go, I have to do something.”
‘It has made me take responsibility for my own health. Being an older dad I want to be there for my kids. I want to be here when I am 100. They are the most important thing to me. I have to fulfill the responsibility to my kids.’
Les was confirmed as the 15th and last contender for the BBC competition, joining Bobby Brazier and Amanda Abbington.
However, he accidently revealed that he had joined the lineup a week before the official announcement when he tweeted a playlist labelled ‘Strictly by Les Dennis.’
Les expressed his excitement at being a part of a statement following his ceremonial debut.
He said: ‘I’m thrilled to be doing this iconic wonderful show as I approach my 70th birthday!
‘In my career I’ve always gone for challenges outside my comfort zone and this is the ultimate one! Can’t wait.’
Les, who was formerly married to Amanda Holden, had been extensively touted to be in the line-up, with a source telling The Mail on Sunday: ‘He might be going to be 70 but he is a showman and he would be fantastic entertainment for those watching at home.
‘There is genuine excitement about Les taking part.’
The Celebrity Big Brother star is no stranger to the stage, having been in Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Only Fools And Horses The Musical, Chicago, and The Addams Family.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
Source My Celebrity Life.