We’ve missed loveable actor Les Dennis since he left Coronation Street, but it looks like he’s been busy.
The TV star appeared on Wednesday’s Lorraine where he unveiled a svelte new look and admitted: “I’ve lost 20 pounds!”
Les, 64, admitted his transformation was inspired by a health scare last year.
Christine Bleakley, who is covering Lorraine Kelly’s summer break on the ITV show, asked him what had happened, describing it as a “life-changing health kick” and adding: “You look fantastic.”
Les explained: “It was last year… I got floored by bronchitis and then laryngitis, and went for blood tests and found out I was pre-diabetic.”
He added that the timing was perfect when Sports Relief came along shortly afterwards.
The presenter continued: “The luck was amazing. Sport Relief came along and said, ‘Do you want to do this fitness program?’ And I did it. And I dropped the weight.”
He also giggled about how “big” he’d been when he was playing Michael Rodwell on Coronation Street. Les left the ITV soap in November 2016.
“I was watching that clip you had of me before, from Corrie,” he told Christine, smiling. “And I was like [gasp]. Michael was big then! That waistcoat!”
He added: “I lost 20 pounds, haven’t been on the scales lately, so I may have put a few back on, but I’ve [mostly] kept it off. I’ve kept my walking going. I’m really really intent on keeping it off.”
Christine asked him whether he’d had to take any diabetes medication, and Les said no.
He went on: “It’s still in the cupboard as a reminder. It was suggested that I take this medication and I haven’t taken that.”
Les added that he’d like to inspire people his age to get fit without drastic action, saying: “You can do it with just exercise and diet.”
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The TV star, who is a dad-of-three and was previously married to Amanda Holden, first spoke of his health worries back in March.
Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, he told Holly Willoughby and Phil Schofield about his time on Famously UnFit… for Sport Relief.
Les said: “I used to exercise but as I’ve got older and had young kids who I am running around after it’s hard enough.
“I got to the point where I thought, ‘Well, I am a character actor now. I’m playing a guy in Corrie with a heart condition, so it doesn’t matter what I look like’.
Sport Relief challenged him and three other celebs – Tameka Empson, Susannah Constantine and Miles Jupp – to get fit in 10 weeks.
They ran, swam and rowed to prepare for a gruelling obstacle course race which they all completed at the end of the 10 weeks.
Les said: “The Sport Relief challenge was a blessing that came along at the right time. The team gave me motivation – and knowing it was for a good cause.”
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You look great, Les! You’ve even inspired us to get out for a walk in the sunshine…
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