John McCririck was seen joining Rylan Clark-Neal, 29, on Channel 5’s Big Brother’s Bit On The Side last night.
However his rare appearance sparked concern with viewers over the seemingly dramatic weight loss.
The 78-year-old racing pundit and former Celebrity Big Brother houseman, who suffered with a severe flu at Christmas, was recently reported to have lost three stone in weight.
And his maroon blazer seemed to swallow his frail frame, whilst his hat appeared far too big.
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John McCririck made a rare appearance on TV last night to join the Big Brother's Bit On The Side panel to give his opinion on the latest happenings in the house.
But viewers at home appeared to be more concerned about his gaunt appearance than what he had to say about the current contestants.
The 78-year-old racing pundit and former CBB housemate, who battled severe flu at Christmas, recently lost three stone and his maroon blazer swallowed his frail frame, while his hat appeared far too big.
One viewer tweeted: "Hope John McCririck is really on the mend. Doesn’t look well at all."
(Image: Channel 5)
(Image: Channel 5)
(Image: Channel 5)
A second shared: "Poor John McCririck. Didn't realise he had been so unwell. Hope the poor bloke's OK.
"John McCririck is, literally, a shadow of his former self.... almost unrecognisable with all the weight he’s lost!! BBBOTS," said a shocked third.
Another said he looks "so frail and ill".
In March, John was back to work at the Cheltenham Festival after being forced to take some time off while battling illness.
He started having issues with his legs and speech over the Christmas period and was left feeling very weak.
Doctors were initially baffled but it later transpired he was suffering from severe flu.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
(Image: Getty)
(Image: PA)
On his return to the racecourse, he said: “I had terrible flu and it really got to my legs and voice ‑ it was awful.
“It’s hard to recover from and I’m not fully fit. But I’m Cheltenham-bound and we’re booked in for all four days.”
The following month he appeared on Good Morning Britain and shocked fans with his three-stone weight loss, which he said was down to going on his very first diet.
JOHN McCririck worried fans with his “gaunt and frail” frame during Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
The legendary racing pundit revealed he’d lost three stone after cutting roast potatoes out of his diet.
refer to caption. 5 John McCririck worried fans who said he looked 'frail' and 'gaunt' during Big Brother's Bit On The Side
PA:Press Association 5 The 78-year-old, in 2016, used to work as a larger-than-life racing pundit
John, 78, appeared on fine form during the show but viewers couldn’t hide their concern.
One asked: “Can't get over how much weight John McCririck's lost! Has he been ill?”
Another said: “Jeez John McCririck looks so gaunt on #bbbots since I last saw him. What's wrong with him?”
While another questioned: “Why is he on there when clearly he is very frail?”
refer to caption. 5 Fans feared the legendary racing pundit could be ill
5 Fans admitted they were concerned for John, who lost three stone earlier this year by cutting out roast potatoes
Earlier this year, John admitted he’d suffered badly with the flu and it had affected his voice and legs.
He explained: “'I had terrible flu and it really got to my legs and voice ‑ it was awful...
“It’s hard to recover from and I’m not fully fit. But I’m Cheltenham-bound and we’re booked in for all four days.”
In June John opened up about his health kick in an interview with The Sun and said he decided to take action after ballooning to 19 stone.
John McCririck lays into Coleen Nolan on Celebrity Big Brother
Getty - Contributor 5 The former Channel 4 star began eating healthily, ditching chips, cakes and puddings
John has entered Big Brother three times - twice as a contestant.
The first time he appeared in Big Brother was back in 2005 on the third Celebrity Big Brother.
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He was the second housemate to be evicted and was in the house with Caprice Bourret, Bez, Germaine Greer, Jackie Stallone, Jeremy Edwards and Kenzie.
During the series he was best known for his angry protest over not being given Diet Coke.
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Racing pundit John McCririck's appearance shocked Big Brother viewers last night.
Former Celebrity Big Brother contestant John joined the panel for Big Brother spin off show, Bit On The Side.
The Newcastle United fan and famed racing pundit looked almost unrecognisable from his days as a Channel 4 Racing regular, having lost three stone this year. In April, John told Good Morning Britain the weight loss is down to going on his 'first ever diet'.
The presenter still maintained his flamboyant style, coupling a maroon blazer with a huge hat and his trademark glasses as he appeared on the C5 show.
Last Christmas, John had to take time off to battle illness. He had issues with his legs and speech, which left him feeling very week, Mirror Online reports.
Doctors discovered the 78-year-old was stuck down with a very severe bout of flu.
John returned to the track in March for the Cheltenham Festival.
(Image: Channel 5)
On his comeback, he said: "I had terrible flu and it really got to my legs and voice - it was awful.
"It's hard to recover from and I'm not fully fit. But I'm Cheltenham-bound and we're booked in for all four days."
But viewers last night aired their concerns for John's health.
One viewer tweeted: "Hope John McCririck is really on the mend. Doesn't look well at all."
A second shared: "Poor John McCririck. Didn't realise he had been so unwell. Hope the poor bloke's OK.
"John McCririck is, literally, a shadow of his former self.... almost unrecognisable with all the weight he's lost!! BBBOTS," said a shocked third.
Another said he looks "so frail and ill".
