Stephen A Smith's epic body transformation as ESPN star loses 23lbs and eats carrots on First Take set after secret bet

STEPHEN A Smith has made his fame and fortune as one of the heavyweights at ESPN.

But the First Take host has undergone an epic body transformation this year by losing 23 pounds after being diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

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The 55-year-old has been keen to show off his slimmed-down figure by wearing tanktops on his podcast.

And the ESPN star was also pictured sleeveless on a beach in the Caribbean with a mystery female friend.

Stephen A. has proven his commitment to his weight loss journey by eating carrots on First Take and even doing 20 push-ups live on set.

"I'm getting better healthwise, this carrot tastes like Skittles," he said. 

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"I can't lie, it tastes good."

First Take co-host Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo could not help himself making fun of Stephen A's appearance this week.

Russo said: "What is he, a rabbit? Are you kidding me? He's lost a little weight.

"You know what Stevie, we all saw the pictures, that was not a pretty sight.

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"Head to the gym. You can eat all the rices, all the carrots and drink all the herbal tea you want.

"You are woefully out of shape."

Dan Orlovsky appeared on the show virtually and broke down in laughter at Russo's comments.

Host Molly Qerim asked him: "Dan, are you OK? Do you need some air?"

And Orlovsky laughed: "He just called the man fat on TV."

But the ESPN star is clearly taking his health issues seriously – and it seems that he is being spurred on by a mystery bet to lose a certain amount of weight by September 14.

"I got a bet with somebody for big bucks," he said.

"Give me another six weeks. I already lost 22/23 pounds. Watch, trust me.

"Wait and see, y'all gonna be proud of me."

Stephen A. also teased that he has will pose shirtless for a lifestyle and fitness magazine.

The ESPN host clearly likes what he sees of himself, recently saying he looked "good" live on set after catching a glimpse of his own reflection.

"I got a little bit distracted while I'm looking at myself on the split screen," he said.

"I just think that I look so good. My haircut is fresh, I just wanted to say that about myself.

"We'll get that out the way. I look pretty good this morning."

In 2018, Stephen A. admitted that he was a "sugar addict," which may have led to his health issues.

"I always get my green smoothie drinks, I drink that every day because I just love it, it’s healthy," he told For The Win. 

"The only plague I have health-wise is I do have bad cholesterol because I will cheat with my fried foods and, unfortunately, I’m a sugar addict. I love my sweets. 

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"My Nestle crunch-a-bunch and my Swedish fish are my vices now that I’ve gotten away from the crunchberries.

"That’s a problem. I’m trying to fix that though."

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