Labor leader Anthony Albanese refuses to eat a muffin at campaign event but mentions them frequently

Hilarious footage has surfaced of Anthony Albanese refusing to eat a muffin at a campaign event before mentioning them several times to his guests.

The clip, which was shown on 10’s The Project on Tuesday, saw the Opposition Leader at a cafe in Heathmont, Victoria with Deakin Labor candidate Matt Gregg and several residents.

Mr Albanese, 59, was campaigning in nearby Box Hill before stopping at the cafe to talk to locals over coffee as he referred to muffins placed in the middle of the table he was seated at several times.

The Labor leader is pictured in April 2020 before he decided to lose weight. His staff affectionately refer to this period of his life as ‘jolly Anthony’ in reference to his larger physique

‘There are still a couple of muffins there,’ the Labor Leader said. ‘Jim, you can afford to eat one.’  

‘I palmed off the muffins for obvious reasons. Now they’re not getting eaten,’ Mr Albanese said. 

He then mentions to the guests at the table how the muffins look ‘really good’. 

It then cuts to the Labor Leader humourously gesturing to one guest at the table, saying, ‘Now, you’re not eating your muffins here’.  

Mr Albanese’s refusal to eat the baked goods comes after he completely altered his diet last year and lost a total of 18kg for a slim new look. 

Amusing footage has surfaced of Anthony Albanese (pictured) refusing to eat a muffin at a campaign event before mentioning them several times to his guests

The Labor Leader appeared to refer to the muffins placed at the centre of the table several times

Mr Albanese was campaigning in Box Hill, Victoria before stopping at a cafe in nearby Heathmont to chat with local residents over coffee

Last September Daily Mail Australia revealed that Mr Albanese had lost 15kg – and in the time since he’s shed a further 3kg. 

The Labor leader now weighs less than 80kg, which was the target he set for himself when he began his fitness quest. 

He dramatically transformed his physique by giving up alcohol for three months, cutting out carbs and installing a treadmill in his Canberra office.

Mr Albanese decided he wanted to slim down last year in preparation for the Three Capes walk, a three-day, 48km trek in south-east Tasmania, which he completed in January.

But he also wanted to lose weight so he would be fit for the election campaign against Scott Morrison. 

Last September Daily Mail Australia revealed that Mr Albanese had lost 15kg – and in the time since he’s shed a further 3kg

A slimmed-down Mr Albanese is pictured at the Newtown Jets footy stadium in June 2021 after his dramatic weight loss

He told Daily Mail Australia last year: ‘I was going on a walk at the end of last year, the Three Capes walk in Tasmania so I decided to get fit for that and also just to get fit for the campaign.’

The father-of-one, who split from ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt in January 2019, continued his healthier diet and exercise regime after completing the walk.

‘Since then I’ve been doing things in moderation and been careful about what I eat and doing the right amount of exercise,’ he said. 

Mr Albanese, who enjoys red wine and craft beer, said the most dramatic change he made was to give up alcohol completely in the first three months of this year. 

‘I went alcohol-free for three months and cut down on carbs – potato, bread, pasta, and just increased my exercise as well.

‘But I haven’t tried to do anything too dramatic other than giving up alcohol,’ he said.

The fitter Albo poses outside the Hawke’s Brewing Company in Marrickville, Sydney

The Labor leader has largely cut out carbs and unhealthy snacks. He has eggs instead of cereal for breakfast, salad for lunch and meat and two veg for dinner instead of pasta or potatoes. Pictured: His meal one night in Canberra last August

As well as improving his diet, Mr Albanese now exercises more regularly than last year

The Labor leader now drinks again but consumes a lot less alcohol than he used to.

‘I don’t drink during the week and have some wine on the weekends and the occasional beer, but I’ve just been cutting back,’ he said.

Previously Mr Albanese would eat cereal for breakfast and pasta and potatoes with lunch and dinner – but now he’s largely carb-free.

‘Now I have eggs from breakfast rather than cereal and will typically eat meat and couple of veg for dinner,’ he said. 

The 59-year-old – who was brought up by a single mother in housing commission in Camperdown in Sydney’s inner west – has also cut out snacking on fatty and sugary foods in between meals. 

‘I’ll have a salad for lunch and have cut out chips and biscuits and try to eat healthily between meals as well,’ he said.

As well as improving his diet, Mr Albanese now exercises more regularly than last year.

‘I got a treadmill in the office in Canberra but I also walk my dog and go on longer walks than I used to and try and play tennis when I can,’ he said.

‘Tennis is my main exercise, my main sport, and I try to play twice a week.’

The Labor leader, who represents Grayndler in inner-west Sydney, also goes on bike rides around the city.

Mr Albanese said that since his weight loss he’s been sleeping better and generally feels mentally fitter as well.

‘We work long hours and if you’re physically fit I think it helps your mental capacity as well,’ he said.