Comedian and podcast star Ed Gamble, known for his work on "Off Menu" and "Taskmaster," has spoken about his significant weight loss and the ongoing reality of living with Type 1 diabetes. Despite his career revolving around discussions of food, Gamble has shifted his eating habits, moving away from the extreme consumption that characterized his university days.
Gamble, who co-hosts the popular podcast "Off Menu" with James Acaster, has built a significant career around his passion for food. The podcast, which features guests discussing their dream meals, has achieved widespread popularity, consistently ranking among the top British podcasts and drawing in over 100,000 listeners per episode. This success has positioned Gamble as an influential figure in the food industry.
Health and Lifestyle
Gamble was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 13. He describes managing the condition as a "24-hour job," requiring constant monitoring of blood sugar levels and insulin dosages. While the condition is genetic, Gamble acknowledges a tendency to gain weight easily, which he combined with a love for food. He stressed that his past eating habits were driven by enjoyment rather than trauma or unhappiness.
During his university years at Durham, Gamble admits to extreme eating patterns, consuming a week's worth of groceries for lunch and engaging in late-night fast food consumption. This period contributed to his weight gain, leading him to adopt a "funny fat guy" persona. His first television gig in 2010 prompted him to lose weight for aesthetic reasons. He found that by eating more moderately and incorporating exercise, he began to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
He currently manages his diabetes with a continuous glucose monitor that syncs with his phone, a technological advancement he appreciates. However, he expresses frustration with non-diabetic individuals using similar monitoring technology, calling it "cultural appropriation" and an over-focus on health for those whose bodies naturally regulate blood sugar.
Comedy and Career
Gamble is also preparing for his new stand-up show, "Fresh Hell," set to tour in 2027. He is currently in the writing process, a stage he finds particularly invigorating. The show is expected to touch upon themes of aging, dignity, and potentially technology. While some comedians use tools like ChatGPT for joke writing, Gamble prefers to develop his material independently, finding personal discovery to be a key part of the creative process.
He notes that personal happiness can make comedy more challenging, as he often draws material from mild frustrations. "You probably need some sort of anger towards something—even if it’s mild frustration that you can dial up into something bigger," he stated. Gamble prefers to keep personal revelations and trauma out of his act, focusing instead on observational humor.
Critics have sometimes described his comedy as superficial, but Gamble remains unfazed. Even when discussing his new panel show "Unacceptable," where comedians share controversial opinions, Gamble's most contentious statement is that Yorkshire puddings are overrated. He humorously defends his stance by calling them bland and space-consuming on a plate.
Personal Life and Collaborations
Gamble married his wife, Charlie, in 2021 after their wedding was postponed three times due to COVID-19. Charlie, a producer, is also a musician and involved in professional wrestling. Gamble expressed admiration for her physically demanding pursuits, recalling a brief and exhilarating experience wrestling comedian Phil Wang for a show.
He also commented on the collaborative nature of his generation of comedians, contrasting it with the more competitive environment of previous eras. He believes that collaboration among comedians makes the process easier and more enjoyable for both the performers and the audience.
Gamble is currently involved in multiple projects, including hosting duties on the "Celebrity Traitors" spin-off "Uncloaked" and his new panel show "Unacceptable" on TLC. He continues to be a prominent voice in podcasting and stand-up comedy, navigating his career with a blend of humor and candor about his health and life experiences.