Paddy McGuinness has revealed that some fans accused him of using AI to create his 'before' photo after he underwent a dramatic physical transformation. The 52-year-old comedian and TV presenter completed the gruelling 75 Hard challenge and landed on the cover of Men's Health UK.
McGuinness said the reaction to his before-and-after photos surprised him. 'A few people went, "Clearly you've AI'd the first picture." "F**king hell, you're supposed to AI the after picture, not the before!" I thought, "Jesus, that's how bad I looked!"'
The 75 Hard programme requires strict discipline, including two 45-minute workouts per day (one outside), drinking a gallon of water, and reading 10 pages of a self-help or educational book every night. Before starting, McGuinness deliberately indulged in fast food and beer for nearly two months, describing the resulting state as 'rock bottom'.
After completing the challenge, he celebrated with a curry and a milkshake but said the experience was not what he expected. 'I ate it, but I didn't get from it what I thought I was going to get. I just felt like sh*t. It actually changed something in my brain, habit-wise.'
McGuinness also reflected on the importance of mental health, noting that knowing people who bottled up emotions made him think more about his own. 'I wouldn't want to end up in that space where everyone thinks you're alright and you're not and then it's too late.'
The full interview appears in the April issue of Men's Health UK, on sale from 17 March.
