Stavros Flatley star Demi Demetriou reveals stint on Sugar Free Farm led to dire doctor’s warning over his famous Cyprus-tattooed beer gut
The Britain's Got Talent star reveals the tummy that shot him to stardom was a "health risk"
STAVROS Flatley star Demi Demetriou has revealed that his famous belly almost caused him to have a "heart attack".
The novelty dancer shot to fame in 2009 on Britain’s Got Talent with son Lagi thanks to their wobbly tummies, and came third with their comedic take on Riverdance.
The 49-year-old is currently taking part in ITV’s Sugar Free Farm and the show’s doctor assessed his large tum and immediately organised an MRI scan.
The results showed his hard belly fat was putting him at risk of suffering a heart attack.
Demi told Mirror Online: “I’ve no fat in my arms or legs so I thought carrying weight just around my middle wouldn’t be a big concern, but I was wrong.
“I used to make jokes and say I was pregnant, making light of it.
“But the doctor said it was the worst place to carry fat because it could lead to all sorts of health problems, like heart disease, strokes, diabetes and high blood pressure. I was putting my life at risk but eating less would cut my chances.”
He added: “The MRI results were a big shock as I’d never had any health issues in the past, so it was a real wake-up call.”
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Demi and his 20-year-old son decided to take part in the fat-fighting show after he piled on the pounds touring as Stavros Flatley.
He said: “Growing up, I always ate healthily, but it gradually got out of control over the years.
“I used to think it was ok to reward myself with chocolate for working hard – but sitting in the car for four hours travelling to our next gig wasn’t hard work.
“I got myself into a rut, thinking it was easier eating rubbish than eating healthily.
“I got through four chocolate bars a day and I would never eat a meal without a dessert like apple pie or crumble.
“I ate Chinese or Thai food at least twice a week.
“I’d have toast and jam or a doughnut for breakfast, a takeaway for lunch, then pasta with cheese for tea, followed by chocolate bars and more doughnuts and crisps.
He went on: “I wanted to do this show as I thought it would be good to see if I could stop all the sugar. But when I got on the scales and saw I was nearly 17 stone, it scared the living daylights out of me.”
But now both Stavros men have been transformed - Demi now weighs 13 stone and Lagi has dropped from 13 stone to 11.
Demi says: “My belly is still there but it’s just not as big. There is nothing funnier than a little fat guy running out on stage – but now you can see remnants of a six-pack!
“I’m never going to be stick thin, but I’m comfortable and full of energy.
“I’ve even swapped caffeine for green tea and bought a bike – I cycle 10-20 miles a week.”
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