Big John Fisher reveals tragic reason for weight gain after family loss

Romford’s Big John Fisher has opened up about the heartbreaking reason behind his weight gain, revealing that he turned to food for comfort after losing his father.

The social media star, known to millions for his love of Chinese takeaways and his catchphrase 'Bosh!', appeared on Good Morning Britain on November 5, 2026, alongside his family.

He was there to promote their new documentary series on Paramount+, but the conversation quickly turned personal.

Host Kate Garraway asked him directly about the serious side behind the jokes he makes about food.

John did not dodge the question.

'I’m still a big man now but I used to be a fit man,' he said.

'I used to box as an amateur and play football at a high level, but I was always fit when I was a young man.'

Then he explained what changed.

'When my dad passed away, I found solace in eating.'

His father was not just a parent — he was also a work colleague and a confidant.

'We had a lot of stress with work and money, and when your dad is no longer there — someone you’ve worked with all your life and is your confidant — when he’s no longer there, I found solace in food.'

John was careful to frame his words honestly.

'It’s not an excuse, but it’s a reason why I put so much weight on.'

He admitted that the weight gain crept up on him without his full awareness.

'The thing is, you don’t realise you’re putting the weight on as well, you still think you’re the same person but you’re not.'

The 53-year-old, who is also the father of professional heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher, known as 'The Romford Bull', has since taken major steps to turn his health around.

Over the past year, he has lost approximately seven stone.

He credits former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall with helping him make the change.

'It’s taken about a year, but Eddie Hall, you see it on the show, he said to me, ‘John, if you don’t lose weight in two years, you’ll be dead.’'

John does not claim to have solved the problem.

'I’m still overweight; I’ve got a long way to go, but I was a lot bigger.'

His weight loss journey has been documented for the family’s new reality series, 'Meet The Fishers', which launched on Paramount+ on the same day as the interview.

The series offers an unfiltered look inside the Fisher household, showing both the laughs and the struggles.

Viewers who caught the Good Morning Britain segment responded with an outpouring of support on social media.

One wrote: 'After you mentioned your loss of father... my sincere condolences, John.'

Another comment praised his honesty about using food as a coping mechanism during grief.

John has been a familiar figure online for years, going viral for enormous takeaway orders that became part of his larger-than-life persona.

But behind the catchphrase and the comedy, the interview revealed a man who had been quietly carrying a heavy loss.

His father, with whom he had worked side by side, was the person he relied on most.

When that support disappeared, food became a substitute.