Paddy McGuinness, the 52-year-old comedian and TV presenter, has addressed claims that his before-and-after transformation photos were digitally altered. After completing the rigorous 75 Hard challenge, McGuinness landed on the cover of Men’s Health UK, but some fans accused him of using AI on the 'before' image.
McGuinness said the reaction 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 daily workouts, a gallon of water, and reading 10 pages of a self-help book each night. McGuinness admitted he deliberately indulged in fast food and beer before starting. 'I thought I’m going to have a real blowout, hit rock bottom,' he said.
After the challenge, McGuinness celebrated with a curry and milkshake but found the experience underwhelming. '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 mental health, noting the importance of being open about emotions. 'Knowing a few people who’ve done that, it makes me really think about my emotions more, because 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.
