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I'M A Celebrity Russell Watson lost an incredible 20lb in two weeks after eating just a fifth of his daily calories in Gwrych Castle.

The opera star, 54, exclusively told The Sun that the strict show diet of rice and beans — and the occasional meaty treat — left him considerably lighter than when he signed up for the ITV show.

Russell Watson, who was eliminated from I'm A Celebrity on Tuesday night with Jessica Plummer, shed 20lbs during the show
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Russell Watson, who was eliminated from I'm A Celebrity on Tuesday night with Jessica Plummer, shed 20lbs during the showCredit: Rex Features

He said: "I was mainly wearing the leggings for the first few days.

"But once I put my red pants on they were falling down my backside. I lost nearly 20lbs in two weeks in there, the weight literally fell off me.

"I was quite pleased with that, I was a big unit when I went in there, so I put my trousers on today and they fell down, I had to put two belts on to keep them up."

Russell had already shrank two dress sizes this year after becoming a total fitness addict in lockdown.

Russell said he was 'a unit' before entering the castle
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Russell said he was 'a unit' before entering the castle
He admitted the weight soon dropped off him on a diet of rice and beans
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He admitted the weight soon dropped off him on a diet of rice and beansCredit: Rex Features
Russell, who appeared on This Morning after speaking to The Sun, admitted the show had done him a favour
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Russell, who appeared on This Morning after speaking to The Sun, admitted the show had done him a favour Credit: Rex Features

Before heading into I'm A Celeb, he told The Sun: “I don’t know how much weight I’ve lost but I’ve dropped two suit sizes and I’m back in clothes I never thought I’d get in again.

“I was watching TV last year when I did my stuff with Aled Jones and I saw myself, and I thought, ‘Jesus – I look huge.’

“The telly adds 14lbs anyway so I asked my wife Louise and she said: ‘You look a bit bigger than you do in real life’ and I thought, ‘That’s it, I’m off to the gym.’

Russell says the show did him a favour as he slimmed down (pictured here in 2018)
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Russell says the show did him a favour as he slimmed down (pictured here in 2018)Credit: Rex Features
Russell Watson and Jessica Plummer say goodby as they are eliminated from the I'm A Celebrity Castle

“The only good thing to come out of lockdown and all of this is the opportunity to get fit. I’m constantly on the road touring. So instead of a Caesar salad with some ham on the side it’s a Double Decker and a packet of Hula Hoops.

“Now I’ve been training every day but I’ve not set a goal. Last weekend I did 23 miles on my pushbike, when I first got on I did about seven minutes and it felt like my quads would explode, I was walking like Elvis Presley.

“And I play tennis and do a lot of boxing – and I’ve got a Peloton which is really good.”

Russell is married to Louise Harris
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Russell is married to Louise HarrisCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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