Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

Jack Whitehall’s powerful response to being told to go to the gym

Comedian said his agent told him that ‘to be a really successful actor in this town, you’ve got to hit the gym’

Ellie Harrison
Friday 21 January 2022 07:33 GMT
Comments
Olivia Colman accidentally insults Jack Whitehall on The Graham Norton Show

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jack Whitehall has claimed that he was given “stern” words by his agent about his figure after he undressed for a forthcoming film role.

The actor, 33, told the Manatomy podcast: “I’m very willing to get naked for a laugh, and make myself look quite vulgar. I’m not ashamed of my body. It’s funny to shove yourself down into the dirt and humiliate yourself for a laugh.”

He added: “I watched the first cut of a movie I did this year, and there’s a sequence where I’m stripped and my clothes are ripped from me.

“My agent said, ‘The movie’s great – but you have really got to hit the gym. To be a really successful actor in this town, you’ve got to hit the gym.’”

Whitehall continued: “He had been watching through gritted teeth thinking, ‘Oh my God, why does my client look like that? Why is he so unashamedly willing to present that body to the world?’

“It hadn’t crossed my mind. I’d watched my pallid, flappy body lolloping around and thought, ‘Yeah that’s funny.’”

Jack Whitehall
Jack Whitehall (Getty Images)

The comic, who was recently interviewed in The Independent, can next be seen in the romantic comedy Silent Retreat and the sci-fi movie Robots.

The Manatomy podcast, hosted by Danny Wallace and Phil Hilton, invites male celebrities to talk honestly about their bodies.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in