Justin Lee Collins has admitted that he was shocked when he saw himself on TV and realised how overweight he was.

“I had such a shock,” he told Now. “I was putting my voice to some TV footage, then I looked at myself and realised I was the fattest I’d ever been.

“I don’t know how much I weighed because I’m not a scales man, but I was massive. I had a 36-inch waist and my trousers were too tight. I was on the cusp of having to buy 38-inch trousers.”

Collins has decided to alter his lifestyle, cutting down on the beer and curries and hitting the gym more often.

“I’ve been gymming like a crazy man,” he said. “I only have a curry once a fortnight now. And when I do I have tandoori chicken or chicken tikka, which is dry-baked and lower in fat. Instead of beer I have a glass of red wine, which is lower in calories.”

Collins revealed that he now wears 32-inch trousers and said: “I feel so much better and I’ve got loads more energy.”