AN obese hamster as big as a jacket potato was taken in by an animal charity — and is now shedding her excess grams.
Year-old Angel Delight tipped the scales at 74g — almost double the normal weight of a female dwarf hamster.
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She may even have been too heavy for comedian Freddie Starr, subject of a classic Sun tale when he allegedly ate one.
Angel Delight is believed to have been given guinea pig food by her previous owner, while also having a lack of exercise space.
So staff at the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Sheffield put her on a strict diet — giving her suitable grub with a few treats.
Also helped by working out on her wheel, she is down to 57g and nearing her 45g target, after two months.
Meera Jethwa, the centre’s animal welfare assistant, said she was learning to be a normal hamster.
She said: “She’s a busy little explorer who needs plenty of enrichment to stay happy and healthy.
“She adores popping in and out of her tunnels and has benefited from having daily supervised access to her very own playpen filled with toys and games.
“She is so lovely. We’ve been doing gentle handling with her also.
“It’s been amazing watching her learn how to be a hamster and enjoy her enrichment, suitable diet and good accommodation.”
Angel Delight is now up for adoption.
The Sun’s famous 1986 front page — declaring “Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster” — was voted the most memorable headline of the 20th century.
Funnyman Freddie was said to have returned from a show and demanded a pal make him a sandwich.
When she refused, he was said to have eaten her tiny pet.
The comedian, who later denied eating any creatures, died in 2019 aged 76.
