Gary Barlow says he hit 18st after binging on Chinese takeaways as James Corden asks him for weight loss tips

GARY Barlow said he hit 18 stone after binging on Chinese takeaways as James Corden asked him for weight loss tips.

The Take That star, 49, said he had a “rough period with food” that caused him to pile on the pounds.

Speaking to James Corden on Zoom ahead of their duet on Gary’s new album, Gary said: “I had a rough period with food that I’m not proud of, where I really lost control of myself.

“I remember one particular day just thinking: “How have I got here?” I was just so disappointed with myself. 

“So coming back from somewhere like that is a bit more serious than: “Oh, I want to lose a couple of stone here.” It was more of a condition that just couldn’t continue.

“So it started there for me and I turned my brain on to sorting out what I ate. The trouble is the food I love — Chinese, chips, crisps. They were giving me a couple minutes of a food coma, taking me out of the real world. It’s just not good, that.

“So I decided not to have cheat days, and just stay away from those foods. I’d love to have the odd cigarette now and then but I can’t. I can’t start smoking again.”

Gary has been open about his weight loss battle and admitted to keeping a photo from his heavier days as a reminder to stick to his healthy regime.

However, he told James the best way to stay on track is by having a food diary.

He said: “Buy a nice little writing book, one you’ll feel good about holding and keeping on you at all times. Do a food diary for every day, and look down and you’ll see what you’re doing wrong.

“It’ll also make you go: ‘Oh, I could eat a Cadbury’s but I’ve got to write it in the diary if I do.’

“It’s a good way of making you think before you do something, but also looking back to see: “Where have I made mistakes today?”

“A food diary will also show you what you’re missing in your diet. If you want to get serious and go to a dietician, or to a friend and seek help, you can show them the diary.”