Ray Winstone has revealed he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and shingles, which forced him to take a step back from work. The 69-year-old actor shared the news on the food podcast Dish, hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, on Wednesday, August 18.
Diagnosis and lifestyle changes
Winstone told listeners: "I got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. So that was one of the reasons I stopped drinking. I'd made up my mind that I was going to do that, but my other thing is sugar."
He explained that he cut out sugar after realising it was present in many drinks and foods: "I thought I ate a lot of sugar because it's in the drinks, it's in Coca-Cola, it's in everything. So I stopped it, and within five months, I didn't have Type 2 anymore."
Despite the condition being in remission, he admitted he still indulges occasionally: "But I'll have caramel ice cream and salted caramel ice cream in the freezer. Every now and then is alright, because I've been a good boy and I've done everything the right way. Even now, I'll get a bowl, and I'll put my caramel ice cream in, and loads of it. With a little dribble of honey or treacle over it, and nuts."
Shingles recovery
Winstone also revealed he had shingles, which affected him for several months. He said: "I had shingles in November, and it took me until February to get over that. It really is horrible. I had to stop training for a little while because I go for walks and all that, and now I'm just getting back into it."
He reassured fans he is feeling better: "I'm really good at the moment. I feel good about myself. I'm probably feeling the best I've felt in many years."
Winstone is set to reprise his role as Bobby Glass in the second series of Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, which returns next month.
