'Great British Bake Off' host Matt Lucas says his father's death at 52 inspired him to get healthier

Matt Lucas says his family history inspired him to get healthier.

The Great British Baking Show host, 48, appeared on Gabby Logan's The Mid Point podcast this week, where he explained what was behind his recent weight loss.

"My dad died when he was 52, very suddenly. His dad died, I think, at 56." Lucas said. "I was looking at the law of averages here."

The Little Britain alum explained that the pandemic also allowed him to really see where he could make changes to his lifestyle, as he put on weight due, partially, to inactivity.

"I was very big and I was getting bigger in the pandemic," he said. "Sort of not being very active, not really going out, not seeing people, just eating a lot of roast potatoes ... I was so big I couldn't really fit on screen anymore."

One part of his new routine is going on long walks.

"I like to walk. I live not far from a canal and I love when the weather's nice, going for long walks by the canal, either with a friend or on my own," he said.

Lucas also spoke about why he thinks aging is a positive thing, explaining that one of the benefits is "not trying to constantly appease people."

"The other thing is, the longer you're around, the more experience you have and the more you learn," the TV star shared. "You're less likely to make the same mistakes again, I guess, because you've already made them."

Lucas has spoken about his health journey before. In a 2021 interview with host Lorraine Kelly on ITV, he said, "The one thing I need to do is get fitter, I have put on a little bit of weight, that's my next challenge to do a bit more exercise … I might have to make a game of it when I go out and exercise to stay out of people's way. I don't have a garden so I have to find a way to do that."

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