Michael McIntyre's emergency surgery and stone loss in six days | TV and Radio

The Wheel presenter Michael McIntyre has revealed how much he endured at a £4,000-a-week weight loss clinic, which he described as a week of nothing but “pain”.

In the startling revelations, he admitted he traveled to Austria in 2017 with fellow comedian Paul Tonkinson but was unable to continue for more than six days. His attempt to lose weight at the Mayr Clinic worked, with the TV star losing 14 pounds during his time there – but he suffered intolerable suffering.

Michael, who was also rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after suffering kidney stones last year, was distressed by his health retreat: “It was a week of pain. They did all these tests on me, put little probes on the tip of my tongue and told me I shouldn’t eat apples.

“Apparently apples are going to make me very lethargic and brain fogged. In fact, it’s the only thing I got out of them.”

In quotes published by the Birmingham Mail, the BBC favorite added that he was also offered a bowel cleansing treatment with unpleasant results. “You drink the Epsom salts right away and then within 20 minutes the entire clinic – which is full of rich, fat people – is running to the bathroom,” he grimaced.

He concluded: “I was so emotional, depressed and confused and Paul was skeletal.”

Fortunately for an unhappy Michael, his wife Kitty, an aromatherapist, gave him all the support he needed to gain the weight back.

Kitty, with whom she shares sons Lucas and Oscar, told him she wants more of a cuddly “teddy bear” than a “running snake.”

Seven years later, Michael had another medical disaster, forcing him to cancel a number of tour dates, much to the disappointment of his fans.

A spokesperson confirmed on social media at the time that the shows would have to be cancelled.

“Sadly, Michael had surgery to remove kidney stones. The show will be rescheduled for a later date that will be announced soon,” they confirmed.

The comedian – the highest-grossing stand-up of 2012 – returned to the showbiz scene after having his kidney stones removed.

Last Saturday, he returned with a new series of The Wheel. The second episode features David Walliams, Sabre, Angela Scanlon, Dion Dublin, Clara Amfo, Sara Davies and Dermot O’Leary.

The Wheel airs tonight at 8:20pm on BBC One