Comedian Jason Manford has openly shared the surprising secret behind his impressive three stone weight loss, confirming it has nothing to do with trendy weight-loss injections like Ozempic. The 44-year-old funnyman, who has showcased a noticeably trimmer physique in recent months, credits his transformation to an unexpected hobby that quickly turned into a full-blown obsession.
Padel Tennis: The Game-Changing Obsession
Manford, a father of six, revealed that he shed approximately three stone over 18 months by taking up padel tennis, a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. He described how the activity became a central part of his life, stating, "I've been on it with padel tennis. I've lost probably about three stone, I think, in around 18 months. I got into it, and then I got a bit obsessed with it, and we've got a little fitness group, me and a load of dads."
Medical Motivation and Support System
The comedian disclosed that his weight loss journey was spurred by a serious health warning from his doctor, who cautioned that he would require knee replacements if he did not reduce his weight, as his knees were "sore all the time." While acknowledging his privileged position to access personal training and nutritionist advice, Manford emphasized the crucial role of social support. He highlighted the importance of a WhatsApp group with his brother and friends, where they share fitness updates and encourage each other, saying, "You need somebody else to just try and be there for you."
Fan Reactions and Cancel Culture Commentary
When fans first noticed Manford's slimmer figure last year, they flooded him with compliments, with comments ranging from "You look loads younger" to "Looking very trim." Some even joked, "Are you sure you’re Jason Manford? You don’t look like him, you look brilliant!"
In a separate discussion, Manford addressed the topic of cancel culture in comedy, taking a light-hearted swipe at fellow comedian Ricky Gervais. He pointed out the irony, noting that controversial comedians like Gervais, Jimmy Carr, and Dave Chappelle top Netflix viewing charts despite claims of being cancelled. Manford quipped, "Makes me laugh, Ricky and Dave say, 'Oh, I've been cancelled'... I think I wish I was cancelled! He just signed a 20 million pound Netflix deal. I'd love to be that cancelled... I'm on a worldwide arena tour being cancelled."
Context in Comedy and Health Setbacks
Manford also reflected on how jokes are perceived differently in live settings versus online clips, explaining that context and tone are often lost in short snippets. He remarked, "Sat around the table with your family reading a joke that was said the night before in front of a room full of people, hits different. Live comedy is still as fun and as raucous and as edgy as it's ever been."
Last year, the comedian faced a health scare when he was rushed to hospital with appendicitis, forcing him to cancel several standup shows. Despite this setback, his focus on fitness through padel tennis has clearly paid off, showcasing a sustainable approach to weight loss that relies on passion and community rather than pharmaceutical aids.
