Sacha Baron Cohen may be feeling slightly embarrassed as he backtracked on claims he’d used Ozempic to help achieve his new ripped physique.

The 53-year-old actor, who has undergone a remarkable body transformation for his role as Marvel’s latest supervillain Mephisto, shared on Instagram Wednesday that his new abs are partly due to a weight loss medication.

But now his representatives have insisted to MailOnline that the Borat star was ‘only joking’ and his new buff physique ‘all down to hard work’.

After showcasing his sculpted physique in the latest issue of Men’s Fitness UK, Sacha, who separated from Isla Fisher in 2023 after over 20 years together, reposted the photoshoot on social media.

He captioned the snaps: ‘Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, some use personal trainers. I did all three.’

‘This is not AI. I really am egotistical enough to do this. 

Sacha Baron Cohen, 53, may be feeling slightly embarrassed as he backtracked on claims he’d used Ozempic to help achieve his new ripped physique

The actor, notable for his incredible body transformation, used Instagram Stories to share his experience (pictured as Borat).

‘Debuting my new character. Middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes.’  

Sacha then thanked his personal trainer, writing: ‘Thanks @theangrytrainer for doing the unthinkable – putting up with me for 25 minutes a day.’ 

He revealed he had just three weeks to get into superhero shape, putting in the ‘hard work’ ready to portray Mephisto, a devil-like figure who makes Faustian bargains.

Speaking to Men’s Fitness UK, the actor revealed he turned to Matthew McConaughey to get the phone number of celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti, who has well-established reputation for transforming physiques on impossible deadlines.

Sacha went on to have a FaceTime meeting with Alfonso, who got him to strip down to his underwear during their first chat.

Due to the short time frame and Alfonso workout methods, Sacha was tasked with being ‘consistent’ by doing ‘100 push ups a day’. 

Sacha’s incredible transformation was far from marathon workouts and extreme dieting, as they concentrated on short workouts and a diet high in fibre and protein as well as low in sugar.

He said: ’25-minute workouts that were sustainable. Even while filming, the workouts happened. In the past, I would’ve thought you needed hour-long sessions’. 

Sacha’s new look is a far cry from his Borat character, a journalist from Kazakhstan (pictured)

After debuting his chiseled muscles in the new issue of Men’s Fitness UK , Sacha, who split with Isla Fisher in 2023, after more than two decades together, re-shared the photoshoot 

He wrote: ‘Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, some use personal trainers. I did all three’ 

The actor split from wife Isla Fisher in 2023 after over a decade together  

He admitted at the beginning of the regime he ‘had the core strength of an arthritic jellyfish… but the short sessions made it so much easier to stay consistent – even with the demands of being on set.’

By the two-week mark, Sacha’s wardrobe team had to spend $5,000 (£3,600) altering costumes because his body had changed so significantly. He was leaner, stronger, and fitter than ever before. 

His trainer also shared the magazine’s photos to Instagram and wrote that he ‘could not be more proud’ of Sacha after working out with him.

In a recent press conference, Marvel chief Kevin Feige confirmed that Sacha will be portraying MCU character.

Sacha first rose to fame in the 1990s with his Ali G character, the infamous spoof wannabe gangster who became a comedy star.

He also starred as Borat, a journalist from Kazakhstan, and played the role of flamboyant Austrian fashionista Bruno.

The actor made his Mephisto debut in the finale of miniseries Ironheart earlier this month, marking the first appearance of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after years of speculation.

One of Marvel’s key villains, Mephisto is a demonic entity who acquires souls by making pacts with mortals and has battled the likes of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.