EASTENDERS newcomer Stephen Aaron-Sipple has revealed his incredible body transformation after losing almost seven stone.
The actor has been confirmed as the new Mark Fowler Jr in the BBC soap after making his mysterious debut in the New Year’s Day flash forward episode.
But just a few years ago he looked very different.
The star – who has also appeared in Netflix fantasy drama The Witcher – previously opened up about his weight loss.
He told Men’s Health: “When my daughter was born, I piled on the weight very quickly because I suddenly stopped exercising.
“I was so tired! Life outside of being a dad became about ease. Not exercising was the easy option. Getting [takeout] was the easy option. I don’t like saying it about myself, but I chose the lazy option every time.”
He was diagnosed with diabetes at 29 and describes it as a “serious punch in the face”.
He added: “I had abused my body so much that a part of it stopped working properly. An early death was the lightbulb moment I needed to really take back control of my health.”
The actor revealed he began by eating fewer carbs before cutting down on the amount of fat he was eating, increasing his protein intake and eventually eliminating sugar from his diet.
In the space of a year he lost a total of 93 pounds – almost seven stone – to hit his new weight of 13.5 stone.
He added to the magazine: “It feels amazing. I grew up as the fat kid, and then chunky adult, not once did I ever think I would feel comfortable taking my top off.”
Stephen also revealed that the changes he made allowed him to “fight off years of anxiety and depression.
He added: “Life hasn’t got easier, but I just feel better equipped to deal with it now.”
The actor will make his full-time debut at Mark next week on the BBC soap.
The role was previously played by Ned Porteous, who now plays Joe Tate in Emmerdale.
