Jason Manford reveals he's shed almost three stone in six months 

Jason Manford has revealed the extent of his dramatic weight loss as he says he has lost almost three stone in 2021.

The 40-year-old comedian revealed he decided on New Year’s Day to change his lifestyle and lost some weight after reaching a peak of 17st 5lb and wearing size 40 jeans.

Speaking about the relationship he has with his weight, the Mirror reports Jason said: ‘I think I’ve thought about my weight every day of my adult life.’

‘I’ve thought about my weight every day of my adult life’: Jason Manford has revealed he’s shed almost three stone in six months. Pictured: Jason after weight loss (left) and before (right)

He said that small things such as trying on clothes that don’t fit or getting out of breath playing with his children caused him to reconsider his lifestyle. 

Jason claims he tried a variety of diets to help control his weight, but it was only when he stopped eating so much and started move more that he started to notice a difference.

While battling to cut down his weight, Jason said he received support from both his family, and the Jason Manford Weight Loss Support Group on Facebook he originally set up back in 2017.

The group’s 78,000 members helped him focus on his weight-loss targets – which appears to have worked, with Jason having now reached 14st 10lb and a size 34 jean.

Change needed: The 40-year-old comedian revealed he decided on New Year’s Day to change his lifestyle and lost some weight after reaching a peak of 17st 5lb and wearing size 40 jeans (pictured 2020)

Speaking about his weight loss, Jason said: ‘I get a bit of a buzz out of it.’

Jason used to use his weight to his comedic advantage while performing, even adopting the nickname ‘the fat Michael Owen’ after being heckled at the age of 17. 

He said: ‘I started to write jokes about being overweight – you can take the power away from the bully or the heckler – they were my defence.’ 

The comedian revealed he used to believe that larger comedians were the funniest because they had signs of having struggled in life – and that he was concerned about not being found funny if he were slimmer. 

‘The fat Michael Owen’: Jason claims he tried a variety of diets to help control his weight, but it was only when he stopped eating so much and started move more that he started to notice a difference (pictured September 2020)

However, after his New Year’s epiphany, Jason started counting his calories and aimed for 1,500-2,000 each day, while adding in more exercise than before. 

Having now lost almost three stone, Jason reflected on whether he would still be funny and said only time will tell, but he isn’t worried because he will never be going on tour with the perfect body.

Jason’s weight loss revelation comes after he kept himself distracted on Wednesday ahead of his ankle operation by cracking his usual jokes.

The 8 Out Of 10 Cats star snapped a shot of his feet, with arrows drawn on them ahead of the op.

Laughing it off: Jason kept himself distracted on Wednesday ahead of his ankle operation by cracking his usual jokes 

‘Always a worry when they’ve gotta use a sharpie so they know which one to do! I’m having both! I almost asked him to write ‘not these’ on my knees!’ he quipped.

Comedian Alex Brooker commented on the post. Alex, was born with hand and arm deformities and a twisted right leg which had to be amputated when he was a baby. He now wears a prosthetic leg.

He wrote: ‘The old arrow on the foot. I remember it well. Anyway, all worked out for me, so sure you’ll be fine!’

The Manchester comic didn’t confirm exactly what he was getting done, even joking he was ‘getting my t*ts done’ in response to one fan.

Jason also snapped a selfie from his hospital bed, the TV screen in the background, with him on it, appearing on BBC One show Unbeatable.

He captioned the snap: ‘Surreal moment while I’m waiting for my ankles operation! #

‘Glad there’s some #Unbeatable entertainment on @BBCOne keeping me company!’ 

Self-entertainment: Jason kept himself distracted on Wednesday ahead of his ankle operation by watching himself on TV from his hospital bed