Lenny Henry lost weight after diabetes warning

Lenny Henry has told how he shed 3.5 stone after being warned by doctors he could develop type 1 diabetes.

The comedian, 56, said his mother lost her legs to the illness, which eventually killed her.

He told the Daly Mail’s Weekend magazine: “My mum lost two legs through diabetes and eventually died from it, so I knew I had to lose weight.

“The doctor warned me I was heading the same way.

“Dieting is tedious but I feel better for it. I was finding it difficult to get in and out of the car. It’s hard, but like anything, if you put your mind to it, you can do it.”

Type 1 diabetes can lead to heart disease, strokes and kidney disease.

For those who have the condition, their pancreas does not produce any insulin - the hormone which regulates blood glucose levels.

If the amount of glucose in the blood is too high, it can damage the body’s organs over time, leading to a range of health problems.