Lee Mead has revealed that enjoying a "large gin each night" definitely helped him get through lockdown.
The father-of-one, who celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this year admitted that alcohol helped him with a "tough period".
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror about being stuck at home during the pandemic, Lee said: "A long walk each day and a large gin each night definitely helped me through that tough period of lockdown.
"Like a lot of us, the fridge definitely became my friend for a few months too!"
Lee continued: "Fortunately, I’ve now lost the weight again, but I wasn’t going to pressure myself throughout that period for drinking or eating more than I normally would."
Lee shares his 11-year-old daughter Betsy with former wife Denise van Outen and said it was so nice to be able to see his daughter more during lockdown.
"My daughter Betsy was also with me half the week each week throughout that time and, as any parent knows, they keep you busy. Even though we were limited in what we could all do," he explained.
"As hard as it was not working throughout those months because of the lockdown, I feel really blessed to have had so much more time with her in that year-and-a half than I have had since she was born."
As the music industry slowly returns to a new normal, The Mirror can exclusively share Lee's music video for his brand new single Little Light.
The single is the first track from Lee’s new album, which is due for release in 2022.
"Nothing beats the feeling of making new music," Lee explained.
"It’s been an ambition of mine to release an original album and over the past year I have been collaborating with some great songwriters.
"When I first heard Little Light, I was blown away as I felt that lyrically and musically it was perfect for me after the two years we’ve all had and what we have been through.
"This song depicts a sense of positivity, appreciation and optimism for life, which can all too often be taken for granted. I hope people will connect to this as much as I do," he added.
Earlier this year, Lee celebrated his 40th birthday by performing at The London Palladium - the iconic venue where Lee made his name starring as Joseph in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat after winning the BBC TV show Any Dream Will Do.
The recording of the gig, titled Lee Mead In Concert: Recorded at The London Palladium, is available to buy on both CD and DVD now.
Backed by his full band, the concert takes the audience on a trip through Lee’s career in musical theatre and his five hit albums, and features special guest appearances from Kerry Ellis, Marisha Wallace, Steve Balsamo and Dalton Harris.
