Matt Lucas has stepped into many roles throughout his career across TV, film and comedy, but Tuesday marked a particularly special milestone as he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The 52-year-old received the honour from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, where he was pictured beaming alongside his loved ones as they proudly watched on. The Little Britain actor was named in King Charles's New Year Honours list and awarded an OBE for his services to drama.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesAlongside acting credits in Bridesmaids, Wonka and Alice in Wonderland, Matt also delighted viewers as co-host of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 alongside Noel Fielding from 2020 to 2023.
During his time on Bake Off, fans also noticed Matt's impressive health transformation – something the comedian and presenter has spoken candidly about in recent years.
© Alamy Stock PhotoWhy did Matt Lucas lose weight?
Speaking to Gabby Logan on her Mid.Point podcast in 2022, Matt explained the motivation behind his decision to focus on his health after lockdown.
"My dad died when he was 52, very suddenly. His dad died, I think at 56, so I was looking at the law of averages here. I was very big and I was getting bigger in the pandemic, actually. Sort of not being very active, not really going out, not seeing people, just eating a lot of roast potatoes," he said.
© Albert L. Ortega"I was so big I couldn't really fit on the screen anymore," continued Matt, who added that he felt "relieved" to have moved towards a healthier weight.
Matt Lucas's weight-loss journey
When it came to changing his routine, Matt revealed that he focused on simple but sustainable lifestyle habits, including regular exercise and healthier food choices.
"I like to walk," he said on Gabby's Mid.Point podcast. "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."
© WireImage, GettyIn 2021, Matt also told Lorraine that he would sometimes make a game out of staying active. "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."
Matt opens up about his journey
Matt has also been refreshingly honest about the realities of weight loss and how his body has changed over time. Speaking on his Making A Scene podcast, he shared: "When you lose a lot of weight, you do end up with loose skin. I do have loose skin. So, I would say maybe I might have something done surgically just to make it a bit more presentable."
The star also explained that, like many people, his weight continues to fluctuate.
© POOL/AFP via Getty Images"I do still have things in the house that are sort of half a stone either way still," Matt said. "Because I do still fluctuate and I'm not… I don't feel like it's finished."
He added: "Like, I put on two kilos recently. So it doesn't feel like I've reached the end of that journey. You know, I do still fluctuate."
"I've lost about 42 kilograms. I think I'm about 68, 69 kilos. But when I look down, I still see a really juicy belly when I look down. So I don't feel that I've lost the weight."
