Daily Mail

Why BBC’s big hitter Huw is no longer a TV heavyweigh­t

- By David Wilkes

in the world of newsreadin­g, he has always been a big presence.

But the BBC’s Huw Edwards is looking much leaner – after turning to boxing to help him get into shape.

The 56-year-old Welshman has lost three stone since putting on his gloves and has now won himself a gang of admirers.

Several fans noticed his new slimmeddow­n look during coverage of the royal wedding. One wrote on social media: ‘When did Huw Edwards turn into such a silver fox?’ Another asked: ‘Huw Edwards is looking fit. Such a crush on him,’ while other comments included: ‘You look fantastic! Please share your secret.’

The married father-of-five – whose nickname was ‘Huge Edwards’ in the days when he topped 16 stone – has previously said he had to diet because he is ‘one of those people who can put on weight simply by looking at a Twix’.

He once said: ‘in my job there’s the added danger of high-definition widescreen TV so i have to be careful. Luckily, i have never been a big drinker so this calorific nightmare is avoided but i eat sensibly and hit the gym.’

The news at Ten anchor now weighs around 13 stone, thanks to three training sessions a week with former British champion Clinton McKenzie.

Edwards has described the sessions, in which he trains with punchbags rather than sparring with a partner, as ‘ Tough. Tough. Tough.’

But he also says he is ‘in much better shape physically and mentally’ and feels a ‘great sense wish i’d of taken achievemen­t’. it this seriously ‘Only years ago,’ he added. in photograph­s that he has shared on social media, he can also be seen bench-pressing weights and lying on a gym mat on the floor with a medicine ball.

Rare glimpses of his legs, usually hidden behind a desk, have also set pulses racing. ‘Ooo you have legs... Rather nice ones too,’ commented one admirer on Twitter on a photo of the newsreader in shorts.

Edwards, whose salary was almost £ 600,000 until he agreed to a wage cut amid the gender pay gap battle at the BBC, is full of praise for his ‘ killer trainer’ Mr McKenzie who he said had ‘ pushed me further than ever’. The former profession­al boxer, 62, was the British welterweig­ht owns Edwards’s South- McKenzie Britain Olympics, first two a at East and fights fitness represente­d the where home European champion, 1976 London. before in he club Montreal Dulwich, won losing Great light near and Mr his to Sugar February, Recording eventual Ray Edwards, Leonard. gold his weight medal who winner is loss married in posted: to TV ‘A producer 90-minute Vicky training Flind, session another today 5kg (11lb) and on weight target loss for by Easter making 20kg (44lb) in all.’ Yesterday, Mr McKenzie tweeted: ‘it didn’t happen overnight! @huwbbc shed 3 stone – well done mate! As we know, many hours were put into it at my gym #sexsymbol.’

 ??  ?? Less of Huw: His new trim look
Less of Huw: His new trim look
 ??  ?? More of Huw: Carrying extra weight
More of Huw: Carrying extra weight
 ??  ?? Gloves on: In the gym
Gloves on: In the gym

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