[on his preparation for the Kingsman sequel] I absolutely can't have anything sweet. I'm in training for Kingsman 2 - gotta get the abs back. I have to be phenomenally disciplined about my diet. Matthew Vaughn (the director) offered me the part then laid down the law. He said, 'We're going to own you for five years and you're going to have to get ripped.' But this part is like winning the lottery.' Show less «

[on the difficulty of his transformation for Kingsman: The Secret Service] The expectations for this film were so high. But if you are playing someone who has to save the world, you do have to have a bit of muscle tone, don't you? Dropping the fat, putting on muscle ... all of that is really hard if you haven't done it before. Ultimately it's very rewarding. But you do put yourself though a lot of pain to get yourself into that kind of shape. Watching my body transform was not something I ever imagined I could do - to completely change. Locked in a vault somewhere are some before and after photos. Show less «

[on how did he get and maintain six pack abs for Kingsman: The Secret Service] In order to do that you have to eat so strictly in order to maintain something like that and it has to become a real lifestyle. That extreme is not one I could maintain all the time, it's a real commitment to living a certain way. You have to do a certain amount of gym hours a week and you have to be pretty militant with yourself with regards to what you eat. If we ever decide to do another Kingsman I would certainly do it again. It's fantastically enjoyable when you do do it, you feel wonderful. To see my body transform and then to have that there forever on screen is quite a nice feeling. For generations to come, we can all appreciate my abs. Show less «

[on the stats he was able to achieve for his role in Kingsman: The Secret Service] I lost a lot of fat and put on a lot of muscle. I got down to five percent body fat and 88 kilos, which is quite lean and muscle-dense. It's not something I've done before. Frankly, it's a massive, massive lifestyle choice. I'd relish the opportunity to do it again. Show less «

[on being annoyed by paparazzi and fans on the street] Do I mind? Yeah, I guess everyone probably wishes it wasn't part of the job, but it's not something that I'm suffering with at the moment. I have friends who it's an issue for and I think it gets a bit tiring. I think the best thing to do is try to deal with it in a grown-up way, and accept that it's a part of it that you've got to do. It's fine, it's the acting I'm in it for. Show less «

[on being in awe of his Eddie The Eagle co-star Hugh Jackman's physique] Hugh Jackman has got guns to die for. Have you seen his arms? They are bigger than my head! Show less «

[joking about why he doesn't like co-star Hugh Jackman] He's so smug - Wolverine, Oscar-nominated, singing dancing bloody perfect person. 'Look at me, I'm nearly 50, I've got amazing abs yet.' Whatever, I am so over him. Show less «

[on how he wanted to play Eddie the Eagle] I had absolutely no interest in sending Eddie up. He could be funny, have mishaps, but he needed heart and soul and to be real and believable. Eddie is a very reasonable and pleasant affable chap. He has optimism and he's focused. There are things about Eddie that are heroic. But I also needed to be really innocent. Hugh Jackman's bringing all the movie star pecs, and he's given me the room to be a bit eccentric. Show less «

[on relishing the opportunity to not train for his role as Eddie the Eagle] When someone says you don't need to be in good shape for this, that is like music to my ears. You shouldn't keep an eye out for my abs in this film. There's no abs in it. Though Hugh probably has some abs. But they remain under his shirt. Show less «

[on their bring a friendly bodybuilding competition on the set of Kinsman: The Secret Service] The big competition was between me and Ed Holcroft, who plays Charlie. Ed and I, despite the fact that we loathe each other in the film, are really big friends. But we - from day one - had a big competition to see who would get the biggest pecs, because we knew that we had to be topless. I think he may have got the guns, but in terms of abs and pecs I think I just pipped him to the post. Show less «

[on the great shape co-star Colin Firth got into] There was a scene which I hope will make the extras or an extended cut where Colin teaches me to eat and drink like a gentleman. It's such a cool little scene. He's got his blazer off but he's got an apron on. When we were filming that scene, and he took his blazer off, I remember telling him, "Colin, you've got pecs mate!" And he goes "Have I? Have I?" and I go, "You have! You've got some pecs man!" Colin got in really good shape and absolutely nailed all the fight stuff. Show less «