BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has revealed he directly confronted his friend and fellow broadcaster Paddy McGuinness over the authenticity of a dramatic body transformation photo the star shared online.
The Suspicious 'Before' Picture
The discussion unfolded on Scott Mills's Radio 2 show on the morning of Monday, 12th January 2026. Newsreaders Tina Daheley and Ellie Brennan said they "couldn't believe" the physical change in the Question of Sport host. Vernon Kay, however, admitted he had been privy to Paddy's fitness secret but was sceptical when he saw the visual evidence.
"I left him a voice note that said, 'Patrick, come on… that before picture — that's a fake belly. That's not real, that's AI,'" Vernon told listeners. He explained that while Paddy had told him about his training regime, the 'before' photo seemed too extreme to be genuine.
Paddy, 52, confessed to Vernon that many others had similarly accused him of using artificial intelligence to fabricate a beer belly for a more striking 'before and after' effect. The presenter insisted the picture was real, attributing his previous condition to "sitting on the sofa and eating garbage" for nearly two months, indulging in beer, cakes, and biscuits.
The Gruelling 75 Hard Regime
McGuinness attributed his impressive six-pack to completing the demanding 75 Hard challenge, a mental toughness programme created by American author Andy Frisella. Vernon Kay outlined the strict daily rules that Paddy followed religiously:
- Complete two separate 45-minute workouts, one of which must be outdoors.
- Follow a structured diet with no alcohol whatsoever.
- Drink a gallon (approximately 4.5 litres) of water.
- Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book.
- Take a daily progress photograph.
Failure to adhere to every rule on any single day forces a participant to restart the entire 75-day challenge from day one. A sceptical Scott Mills questioned the definition of an 'outdoor activity', joking whether knitting outside would count. Vernon suggested that even "feeding the birds outside in the park" could qualify, especially if you "chased [the birds] like a child."
Celebrity Reactions and Honest Confessions
After sharing his results on Instagram, Paddy was flooded with praise from famous friends. Countryfile's Matt Baker commented "That's brilliant!", while presenter Scarlette Douglas wrote "you look bloody brilliant!" Former Love Island star Chris Hughes also commended his efforts.
Not all reactions were wholly convinced, however. Radio host Andy Goldstein quipped, "AI is getting out of hand now!" – echoing Vernon Kay's initial suspicion.
In his reflective post, Paddy admitted the programme "isn't for everyone" but said he "thoroughly enjoyed" the experience. He highlighted the staggering effect his previous lifestyle had on both his body and mind, and promised to share a full 75-day timelapse video. He is now reportedly searching for his next physical challenge.
