**Drag Artist’s Dramatic Weight Loss Prompts Concern from Local Takeaway**
A Swansea-based drag performer has undergone a remarkable transformation, so much so that the staff at his favourite Chinese takeaway felt compelled to contact him to ensure his wellbeing. Jordan Bateman, 31, who is known to many by his stage name Ruby Slippers, has lost an astonishing 14 stone in less than a year—a change that has not gone unnoticed within his local community.
Jordan, who once weighed 28 stone at a height of 5ft 9ins, first recognised the impact his weight was having on his health during his drag performances. He described being left breathless while on stage, which eventually became the catalyst for his decision to seek change. According to Jordan, the tipping point came during a rendition of “This Is The Moment” from the musical *Jekyll & Hyde*, when he realised he could no longer perform without physical discomfort.
Turning to medical intervention, Jordan opted for the weight-loss jab Mounjaro, also known as Tirzepatide—a weekly, self-administered injectable prescribed via digital healthcare provider Numan. The drug, which helps manage appetite and blood sugar levels, recently gained wider attention after being approved for NHS use. Jordan began the treatment privately in August 2024, gradually increasing the dosage as directed and supplementing it with lifestyle modifications including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The results were swift and dramatic. Now weighing 14 stone, Jordan says he feels rejuvenated, likening the outcome to having gained 20 additional years of life. The change in his appearance was so pronounced that his local Chinese takeaway, accustomed to his regular, hearty orders—once including lemon chicken, seaweed, egg fried rice, chips, prawn crackers, and duck spring rolls—telephoned his home to check if he was alright. Jordan admits with humour and a touch of embarrassment that he hasn’t visited the establishment in over a year.
Reflecting on his earlier lifestyle, Jordan notes that the demands of a career in entertainment—frequent touring and the lack of healthy food options—contributed to his weight gain. “Life on the road made it all too easy to rely on motorway service stations and takeaways,” he observes. The constant travel also hindered his ability to plan and prepare nutritious meals.
Lifestyle changes have been central to maintaining his progress. In addition to the injection, Jordan invested in a personal trainer and now follows a carefully structured nutrition plan. He openly discusses the financial commitment, revealing he has spent more than £3,000 on the medication alone, though he considers the investment worthwhile. Preparing meals in advance has become routine, especially when on tour, helping him to avoid the pitfalls of unhealthy eating while travelling.
The psychological shift has been as significant as the physical one. Jordan confesses that he feels markedly more confident both as himself and when in character as Ruby Slippers. He now needs fewer breaks during shows, can confidently bare his arms on stage, and enjoys a greater sense of wellbeing in his day-to-day life, including at his role as entertainment manager at a holiday park.
Jordan’s extraordinary weight loss has also had unexpected side effects: he no longer requires bespoke, expensive costumes, going from a size 4XL to a medium, and his grocery bills have dropped due to healthier choices. His story has served as inspiration to friends, family, and colleagues, many of whom have remarked on his transformation. Interestingly, he shares that children at the holiday park now draw him as a stick figure rather than a circle—a light-hearted illustration of how perceptions change with health.
With a target of reaching 12 stone, Jordan is conscious that medication is not a permanent solution. He stresses the importance of long-term lifestyle changes and urges others considering medical weight loss to consult their doctors. “It’s a mental and physical commitment,” he advises, warning that no injection offers a quick fix without real change.
Concluding his reflections, Jordan remains grateful for the wake-up call that prompted his life turnaround. “Had I continued on the same path, I don’t know where I’d be today. I probably would have gained even more weight and been at even greater risk. Now, I feel equipped to embrace opportunities, including dating, for the first time in my adult life.” Jordan’s journey serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for anyone grappling with the challenges of weight management.