EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt dramatically changed his appearance throughout his run on the popular show by losing three stone and it was all thanks to his decision to ditch alcohol completely.
He also started exercising regularly, started being “more active” and turned into a keen mountain biker.
The 55-year-old actor, renowned for his role as Ian Beale, has been gracing Albert Square for nearly four decades since his first appearance in 1985, earning him the status of the longest-serving cast member in the show’s history.
Adam explained: “Basically I gave up alcohol. That was the biggest change I made. With giving up alcohol, the weight drops off and because the weight dropped it was easier to cycle.
“So it was easier to stay fit. That’s all it was. I’m just not really focused on it. I’ve not really made a big fuss about it. I just stopped drinking.
“But everyone’s different. For me, giving up alcohol was the right thing to do. I’m not going to turn around and say that’s it forever, that I’m never ever going to drink again.
“But at this point in my life, yeah, I’m quite happy not drinking. And the result is I’ve lost about three stone in weight,” he told The Cambridge Independent.
The actor explained he started working out regularly too: “I had always liked cycling but as anybody who cycles knows, it’s a lot easier if you are lighter.
“People will spend hundreds of pounds on shaving 10 grams off of equipment, like lighter pedals.
“I feel 100 percent better now. Until you actually stop drinking you don’t realise how much it affects so many things. Now I just drink coffee because it tastes better.”
Cutting alcohol out of a diet is, in fact, a very effective way to slim down. Alcohol is full of calories and can cause weight gain as it stops the body from burning fat and increases hunger.
Woodyatt has also spoken candidly about his decision to stop drinking during an episode of The Nightcap podcast, citing health concerns as the catalyst: “It was a health thing,” reports the Daily Star.
He elaborated on the events that led to his lifestyle change: “I went into the hospital with a stomach issue and they pointed out my liver was probably taking a bit of a hammering. They said, ‘Look, give your liver a rest for six weeks, we’ll do some tests.’ Then Covid happened and six weeks became 12 weeks.
“And I thought, ‘Do you know what – I’ve cracked this, I don’t miss it, I’m better off without it’ and I thought, ‘That’s it!”
He continued: “I’m not going to say never again, but at the moment no alcohol and it’s fine. But I still like smelling it, especially rum. I’m not so good on whisky.”