Big John Fisher reveals tragic reason he turned to food after loss

Romford's 'Big John' Fisher has opened up about the weight gain that turned him from a fit amateur boxer and footballer into the internet's favourite Chinese takeaway personality.

The 53-year-old social media star, known to millions as the 'Boshfather' for his catchphrase 'Bosh!', appeared on Good Morning Britain on November 5, 2026, to promote his family's new documentary series on Paramount+.

But the interview took a personal turn when host Kate Garraway asked about the serious side behind the jokes.

'You've made a lot of jokes and people sort of warm to you because of your jokes about your obsession with Chinese takeaways and everything,' Garraway said.

'But actually, there's something serious underneath your weight gain that you're talking about, aren't you?

That was grief from the loss of your father; tell us about that.'

Fisher replied with a candid admission about how losing his father changed his relationship with food.

'Listen, I'm still a big man now but I used to be a fit man,' he told the programme.

'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.'

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

He described his father as his confidant — someone he had worked alongside for much of his life.

'The only time 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,' Fisher said.

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

'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.'

Fisher, whose oldest son Johnny Fisher is a professional heavyweight boxer known as 'The Romford Bull', said the weight crept up on him without his full awareness.

The social media star gained a massive online following in part because of his enormous Chinese takeaway orders, which became a regular feature of his content.

But behind the viral videos and the catchphrases, Fisher was struggling with grief and stress.

He has since embarked on a dramatic weight loss journey over the past year, losing around seven stone — approximately 98 pounds.

The transformation has been aided by former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall, who delivered a stark warning to Fisher.

'Eddie saw us one day and he said, 'John, if you don't lose weight within two years, you'll be dead,'' Fisher recalled.

'I'm still overweight, don't get me wrong, I've still got a long way to go, but I was a lot bigger.'

Fisher said he has changed his eating habits, cutting out carbohydrates and increasing his meat intake.

His weight loss journey has been documented for the family's new reality series 'Meet The Fishers', which launched on Paramount+ on November 5, 2026.

The programme offers viewers an unfiltered look into the lives of Fisher and his family, including his attempts to improve his fitness with Hall's support.

Fisher's appearance on Good Morning Britain drew an outpouring of support from viewers on social media.

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

The documentary series is the first time Fisher has opened up publicly about the grief behind his weight gain.

He has been a fixture of British social media for years, known for his larger-than-life personality and his love of food.