Hollywood sheds stone on soup and egg diet
‘Dead horse’ trainer is axed by sport giant Get tough over abhorrent act
PAUL Hollywood has shed a stone in weight with a new low-calorie diet based on eggs for breakfast and soup and bread for tea.
In September, he told how he had put weight on during the first lockdown because he could not get out much to exercise.
But more recently, he said he has managed to lose a few pounds thanks to eating smaller meals in between the odd slice of cake as a treat.
Paul, 55, said: “I’ve lost a stone. In fact, just over. I am working out a little bit – doing a bit of walking and a little bit of running and just tinkering… just watching what I’m eating really.
“It’s not because of Bake Off, it’s just purely trying to keep a bit fitter during lockdown because there’s nothing else to do, is there? Baking my own bread is easier because you can control what goes into your food a lot more, same as cooking. You control what goes into your food.
“Every morning I have the same thing: a couple of eggs from the farm down the road and I make my own toast. So, it’s chucky eggs and soldiers for me every morning. Then in the evening, I may have another slice of bread with tomato soup. I’m on about 1100 calories a day.
“I drink about two litres of water as well, which makes all the difference. I haven’t had alcohol for about four months.”
His Bake Off co-judge Prue Leith added: “I’ve been thinking I had better go on a diet in the hope we will be not filming for six weeks and I will be in better shape. But I always say this and I don’t do it.”
They were speaking ahead of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer beginning next week on Channel 4, which will feature Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, comedians Rob Beckett and Tom Allen and singer Alexandra Burke. REY-SING AGENT
GRAND National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott sits astride a dead horse, in an image that has left the racing world reeling in shock.
Elliott, 43, was axed as ambassador for Betfair yesterday after the image of him making a “peace” sign while sitting on the corpse appeared on social media.
The gambling giant said his actions were “at odds” with its values.
Jockey Mick Fitzgerald, 50, broke down in tears on TV yesterday as he discussed the image.
He said: “These horses have given me a life that I’m privileged to have... it just makes me really sad.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is investigating. But Elliott has been backed by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who owns Tiger Roll which was trained to Grand National wins by Elliott in 2018 and 2019.
O’Leary said he and his brother, racing manager Eddie, were “deeply disappointed”. He added: “We accept this photograph was a grievous but momentary lapse of judgment by
Gordon and not in keeping with our 15-year experience of his concern for and attention to the welfare of our horses.
“We all make mistakes and what is important is that we learn from them and ensure we do not repeat them. We accept Gordon’s sincere, profound and unreserved apology and we will continue to support him and his team.”
Elliott, whose stables are based in Co Meath, Ireland, also trains Envoi Allen, which has back-to-back Cheltenham Festival wins. Elliott said he is
“profoundly” sorry about the photo, which was taken “some time ago” after a horse died of an apparent heart attack in training.
He claimed: “I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.”
The British Horseracing Authority is considering “regulatory options”.