Johnny Vegas sheds weight for son

Johnny Vegas has claimed that his recent weight loss was inspired by his son.

The standup comic has lost five stone in weight so he can be "around a little bit longer" with son Michael Junior.

"It got to the point where I was getting gout quite regularly," Vegas told Loose Women. "I realised I had a son and I wanted to be around a little bit longer.

"I didn't think I'd make 30. I made 30 so I set myself the challenge of making it to 40."

Vegas also joked that his recent dieting may have had major consequences for local piemakers in his hometown of St. Helens.

"There's a pie producer in my hometown of St. Helens in Merseyside and they've just closed three shops," he said.

"The guilt of that's been laid at my door. There's a major campaign now to sneak them under my salad."