Paul Sinha cost The Chase 'dozens of pounds' after health concerns sparked transformation

The Chase star Paul Sinha has shared that he cost producers money after losing weight following his diabetes diagnosis in 2017. After blood tests results determined what was wrong with him, Paul, aka The Sinnerman, was offered the chance to take part in the ITV documentary, Diabetes: The Fast Fix, where he lived on just 800 calories a day.

After the month-long process and help from the show's celebrity doctor Zoe Williams, he lost two stone and managed to get his condition into remission. Reflecting on this period of time, he writes in his book Once Sinha Lifetime: Comedy, disaster and one man’s quest for happiness: "I lost plenty of weight, costing The Chase dozens of pounds in replacement suits.

"Far more importantly, I successfully put my diabetes in remission." It is not unusual for those living with Type 2 diabetes to put the condition into remission by losing weight. The official website Diabetes.org.uk states: "If you have obesity, your diabetes is more likely to go into remission if you lose a substantial amount of weight – 15kg (or 2st 5lb) – as quickly and safely as possible following diagnosis."

Recalling the day he found out he had the condition, The Chase star said he was "surprised", but not completely "shocked", as forms of diabetes run in his family, but he did fear "a nervy, uncertain future".

Two years later, he announced he had also been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in an emotional blog shared with fans. At the time, he wrote: "On the evening of Thursday May 30th, an experienced consultant neurologist calmly informed me that I had Parkinson’s disease.

"It was a devastating denouement to a medical odyssey that began in September 2017 with a sudden-onset, frozen right shoulder, and took in an unexpected diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a lifestyle transformation that enabled me to lose two stone, and a shoulder operation in January this year."

The quizmaster went on to say how "behind the facade of the cheerful, late night comedy festival drunk was a man deeply scared about facing the truth when back in the UK".

With a treatment plan in place however, Paul said he was "more prepared for the new challenges ahead".

Five years on, the quizmaster still refuses to let his symptoms get the better of him, and has continued to work when possible.

Recently speaking to the Daily Star, he shared: "I'm trying to prove to the world that Parkinson's doesn't have to be the end of somebody's story... that you can carry on doing the things you love.

"The important thing is to not let it define you. I take being on Beat The Chasers as a real point of pride because of the speed and reflexes required to be on the show.

"Whenever I buzz in and get anything right, it's a point of massive pride to me."

Last week while appearing as a guest on BBC Breakfast, he gave an update about his symptoms and revealed that his right hand was not functioning as well as his left.

Despite this, he positively said he can "deal" with the symptoms and added of his future: "As long as my brain functions and I can fulfil my dreams of being a stand-up comedian and quizzer, I'm a happy man!"

According to the NHS website, Parkinson's is a condition that affects the brain. It causes problems like shaking and stiffness that get worse over time.

The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are shaking (tremors), slow movements and stiffness. If concerned, visit your GP.

The Chase airs weekdays from 5pm on ITV and ITVX.