No need to take Mcintyre’s diet advice with a pinch of salt

Michael Mcintyre has revealed he once lost a stone in weight after drinking Epsom salts at the famous (and famously expensive) Mayr Clinic in Austria.

It was the dramatic laxative properties of Epsom salts that, three years on, have had a lasting effect on the comedian.

I’m a huge fan of Epsom salts – so-called after a farmer living near Epsom in Surrey discovered a spring rich in magnesium sulphate and sparked a 17th-century health craze for “taking the waters”.

You’re best consulting your GP first if you plan to drink them, as they must be certified as “food grade” and there can be digestive side effects. I wouldn’t dream of it, because I find bathing in them is so effective on health and wellbeing – as well as making me feel a little bit genteel and superior.

Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and Elle Macpherson all credit Epsom salts as a beauty staple to reduce bloating, ease muscle ache and promote glowing skin.

The secret lies in two-way osmosis; our body takes in magnesium and sulphate through the skin while toxins and excess fluid are drawn out. You can exfoliate with Epsom salts, wash your hair in them, give yourself a facial and soak your feet in them. Best of all it, won’t break the bank.

The only drawback is you have to bathe in warm water, whereas I like a bath just the right side of scalding. But afterwards, you feel fabulous in an intangible, featherlight way.

Intrigued? Go buy some before the Michael Mcintyre effect causes an Epsom Derby on stocks not seen since Delia introduced us to the lemon zester in 1973 – and do please let me know how you get on.

‘Afterwards, you feel fabulous in a featherlight way’