Fish and a Rice Cake – Danny Andrews Then and Now

Nearly two decades after a BBC documentary captured him describing a rigid diet of fish and rice cakes, Danny Andrews has transformed from a teenage bodybuilder into a figure who bridges internet meme culture and reality television. The clip that once showed a skinny 16-year-old meticulously timing his meals has become a reference point for extreme dieting—yet Andrews himself has moved far beyond those early days.

The footage, originally part of a bodybuilding documentary, gained a second life online years after its initial broadcast. What began as a local competition preparation strategy in Barrow, Cumbria, evolved into one of the more memorable fitness memes of the social media era. Today, Andrews navigates a different world entirely—one where his past is as viral as his present ambitions.

Who is the “Fish and a Rice Cake” Guy?

Danny Andrews is a bodybuilder from Barrow, Cumbria, who first appeared on television around 2006-2007 when he was 16 years old. The documentary Baby Faced Bodybuilders followed young competitors preparing for the Mr. Cumbria event, capturing Andrews as he described his unusually strict meal schedule. His deadpan delivery while recounting what he ate and when became the source of the meme that would define his public identity years later.

Key Insights

• The original diet was a short-term weight-cutting strategy rather than a long-term nutrition plan
• Andrews now admits he disliked fish even then, consuming it purely for competition purposes
• The viral clip accumulated over 4 million views on YouTube, becoming known as a “crunchy old meme”
• His December 2023 TikTok recreation of the original scene went viral again, this time showcasing his transformation
• Andrews launched his own protein rice cake brand, monetizing his unexpected fame
• He appeared on the dating show First Dates, where his date failed to recognize him despite his meme status
• As of 2025 reports, Andrews is approximately 35 years old and no longer follows anything resembling his old diet

What is the Origin of the “Fish and a Rice Cake” Meme?

The meme traces back to a BBC documentary that aired around 2007, following teenagers as they prepared for bodybuilding competitions. Andrews, then 16, explained his pre-competition diet with a straight face that became the defining characteristic of the clip. The timing and repetition of his meals—8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, post-training, evening, and before bed—gave the footage a rhythmic quality that proved irresistible for internet audiences.

The clip itself did not gain widespread attention until years after its original broadcast. When it eventually surfaced on platforms like YouTube, the deadpan delivery and monotonous food choices resonated with viewers who recognized either their own extreme dieting experiences or the absurdity of such restriction at such a young age.

How the Clip Became a Meme

Social media algorithms and sharing culture eventually propelled the footage into meme territory. The clip accumulated over 4 million YouTube views, spawning countless remixes, reaction videos, and references across platforms. What made it particularly shareable was Andrews’ complete seriousness while describing meals that most people would find unsustainable—delivered with the conviction of someone who truly believed this was the path to success.

The phrase “fish and a rice cake” entered internet vocabulary as shorthand for extreme or misguided nutritional discipline. Comments on various posts frequently reference the meme when discussing crash diets, eating disorders in fitness culture, or the pressures faced by young athletes.

The Documentary That Started It All

The BBC documentary Baby Faced Bodybuilders aimed to document the world of teenage bodybuilding, a niche that received little mainstream attention at the time. Andrews was one of several young competitors featured, though his segment would prove the most enduring. The show captured authentic moments of dedication and sacrifice, though few anticipated that one teenager’s diet would outlive the documentary itself.

Where is the Fish and a Rice Cake Guy Now?

As of recent reports, Danny Andrews has undergone a dramatic physical transformation that stands in stark contrast to his teenage appearance. Where once he described eating fish at nearly every mealtime, he now openly discusses enjoying KFC, pizza, chicken, potatoes, and regular beer consumption. The “really skinny” physique that the extreme diet produced has been replaced by what sources describe as a “shredded” adult bodybuilder’s form.

Andrews attributes his transformation to several factors: natural maturation into adulthood (he was only 16-17 during the documentary), adopting a more balanced approach to nutrition, and abandoning the extreme restrictions that defined his competition prep. He has been vocal about rejecting the diet that made him famous, stating he actively dislikes fish in the years since.

The December 2023 Recreation

In December 2023, Andrews recreated the viral clip on TikTok, with the video subsequently shared widely across YouTube and other platforms. The recreation showed him attempting to deliver the original lines while struggling not to laugh—a marked departure from his deadpan teenage delivery. His bulked-up physique provided visual evidence of how far he had come since those early competition days.

The recreation resonated with audiences who had followed his journey, offering a sense of closure to a story that many assumed had ended years earlier. Comments on the video expressed appreciation for Andrews’ willingness to mock his own past while demonstrating real growth.

New Ventures and Reality Television

Beyond his physical transformation, Andrews has expanded into fitness branding and media appearances. He launched his own protein rice cake brand, turning the food that symbolized his extreme dieting into a commercial product. This venture represents a strategic approach to leveraging meme fame into sustainable business income.

In March 2025, Andrews joined the cast of Love Triangle UK season 2 on E4, a dating show produced by the team behind Married at First Sight. This appearance marks his formal entry into reality television, positioning him as more than just a meme but as a personality who can carry programming beyond viral clips.

He has also appeared on First Dates, where an unfortunate irony emerged: his dining companion failed to recognize him despite his viral status. Andrews has further discussed his experience in a People Are Deep podcast episode titled “I was a viral meme,” offering his perspective on unexpected fame and its aftermath.

What Was the Fish and Rice Cake Diet?

The diet Andrews followed during his competition prep was a calculated weight-cutting strategy designed to reduce body fat while preserving muscle mass. Fish provided lean protein while rice cakes offered minimal calories, creating a deficit that would theoretically improve his competitiveness in the Mr. Cumbria event. The structured timing—specific meals at specific hours—reflected common practices in competitive bodybuilding circles.

What distinguished Andrews’ case was not the approach itself, which has parallels in many competition preparations, but the documentation of it. Most athletes never have their dietary sacrifices recorded for broadcast, let alone have those recordings resurface as comedy content years later.

The Daily Schedule

The documented schedule from the documentary showed meals at 8 AM (fish and rice cake), 10 AM (fish), 12 PM (fish and rice cake), 2 PM (fish), 4 PM (fish and rice cake), post-training (fish and rice cake), evening (fish and rice cake), and before bed (fish). This eight-meal structure, heavy on protein and low on variety, was maintained throughout his competition prep window.

Why He Abandoned the Diet

Andrews has explained that his teenage self was operating under considerable pressure to succeed in bodybuilding, a sport where leanness often correlates with competitiveness. The diet produced results in terms of weight management but left him looking “really skinny” despite having a reasonable base physique. As he matured, he recognized that sustainable nutrition produced better long-term outcomes than short-term restriction.

His current approach prioritizes balanced nutrition over extreme deficit. Chicken, sweet potatoes, and other whole foods form the foundation of his diet, though he does not shy away from indulgent options like fried chicken and pizza. This represents a dramatic philosophical shift from his competition days.

Timeline: From Viral Clip to Reality TV

Understanding when key events occurred helps contextualize Andrews’ unusual career trajectory from teenage bodybuilder to meme subject to reality television participant.

1. 2006-2007: Age 16-17; featured in the BBC documentary Baby Faced Bodybuilders; prepared for Mr. Cumbria competition; the viral clip was recorded during this period.
2. Approximately 2010s: The documentary clip went viral online, accumulating over 4 million YouTube views and becoming a recognized internet meme.
3. Pre-2023: Appeared on the dating show First Dates, where his companion did not recognize him despite his viral status; began discussing his experience publicly.
4. December 2023: Recreated the original meme on TikTok at approximately age 32-33, showcasing his transformed physique and humorous self-awareness.
5. 2023-2025: Launched a protein rice cake brand; featured in a People Are Deep podcast episode titled “I was a viral meme”; continued bodybuilding activities.
6. March 2025: Cast in Love Triangle UK season 2 on E4, produced by the team behind Married at First Sight.

Facts Versus Myths: Separating Truth from Internet Lore

As with most viral content, the story surrounding Andrews has accumulated both accurate information and speculation. This section attempts to clarify what is confirmed versus what remains uncertain.

The Meme’s Place in Fitness and Internet Culture

The persistence of the “fish and a rice cake” meme reflects broader cultural conversations about extreme dieting and the pressures facing young athletes. Andrews’ footage has been cited in discussions about eating disorders, body image issues, and the sometimes toxic culture within competitive fitness circles. What began as documentation of one teenager’s breakfast choices evolved into a touchstone for these larger concerns.

The humor in the meme often masks genuine concern. Viewers who share the clip sometimes do so alongside commentary about their own experiences with extreme restriction, disordered eating patterns in fitness culture, or the pressure they felt as young athletes. Andrews himself has acknowledged this dimension, discussing his journey in podcast appearances that explore the psychological aspects of competitive bodybuilding.

For many who discovered the meme years after its creation, the footage also represents a specific moment in internet culture when user-generated content began shaping mainstream entertainment. The BBC documentary existed before the current era of YouTube celebrities and TikTok personalities, yet its footage found new life in platforms that its producers never anticipated.

Key Quotes and Sources

I’ll have fish and a rice cake at 10:00.

— Danny Andrews, Baby Faced Bodybuilders (BBC, 2006-2007)

People think I’m still on it, but I’m not.

— Danny Andrews, as reported by LADbible (December 2023)

The primary sources for this account include the original documentary footage available on YouTube, reports from LADbible documenting his 2023 recreation, coverage from The Tab regarding his reality television involvement, and interviews discussing his transformation and current perspective on his viral fame.

Summary

Danny Andrews entered public consciousness as a teenager describing an extreme diet on a BBC documentary. Nearly two decades later, he has reframed that moment into a career spanning fitness branding, podcast appearances, and reality television. His transformation—from skinny competitor to shredded bodybuilder—illustrates both physical change and a shift in how he relates to his own history. Rather than distance himself from the meme, he has incorporated its symbols into his business ventures while publicly rejecting the dietary practices that made him famous. For those interested in similar fitness transformations, understanding the balance between extreme short-term strategies and sustainable long-term nutrition remains relevant. Andrews’ story, in this regard, offers both cautionary elements and a model for processing unexpected fame on one’s own terms.

Explore related content on Air Fryer Chicken Thighs for practical healthy eating ideas, or learn about Benefits of Sea Moss for additional nutrition perspectives.

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