Gregg Wallace looks back at old drinking and nightly takeaway habits

He's no stranger to showing off his newly buffed-up physique after shedding four-and-a-half stone.

But Gregg Wallace, 57, who once described himself as the 'fat bloke on MasterChef who likes pudding', has admitted if he 'had two pints of lager with lemonade and a whisky I considered that to be a night off the booze', as he reflected on his old lifestyle.

The former greengrocer has learned to look after himself today- but a decade ago he never cooked and lived off fish and chips, Chinese buffets and curries.

Television star Gregg tried many diets before finally managing to slim down but took control in the kitchen and, in the last three years, has been exercising 'five days a week'.

In a new interview with The Sun, Gregg said: 'At our local Indian restaurant I’d have a vindaloo with two vegetable dishes, a naan, rice and pudding.

'I’d do a competition and tell them I’d give the first person to spot the sweat on my forehead £1.

I finally realised if I took out snacks, booze and takeaways for the majority of the time and ate three large, filling, healthy, balanced meals every day, the weight came off.'

Gregg said he planned his meals in advance and cooked healthier foods from scratch, and when he slipped up and ate less healthy foods, he tried not to worry before picking up on the right path where he left off.

The culinary judge claims his mindset has now totally changed, likening himself to an ex-smoker who now hates the taste of cigarettes.

Gregg says his confidence grew as his health transformed, leading him to meet his wife Anne-Marie, who he married in 2016.

The pair live in Kent with son Sid, two, as well as Gregg's daughter Libby, 25, from his marriage to pastry chef Denise Wallace. He also shares son Tom, 27, with Denise.

Gregg said he and Anne-Marie share the cooking and other chores at home, with Gregg enjoying whipping up delicious meals for his family.

However, the star admitted to struggling during lockdown, saying he's a 'workaholic' and felt lost with less to occupy his time.

So, the entrepreneur, who grew up on a council estate and describes himself as 'uneducated', scribbled an idea for a health and fitness website on scraps of paper after the pandemic hit, with the idea becoming a successful business.

Gregg said he know 'how it feels being self-conscious, being depressed and drinking too much'.

However, Gregg still enjoys a treat, admitting he eats all the food when he films MasterChef.

He claims while 'being good most of the time is enough', he won't go to a rugby match without enjoying a beer.

And he has hopes to become a personal trainer in the future following his personal and business success, already helping out a friend who wanted to change their ways.