Li Chen's dramatic weight loss was not due to his breakup with Fan Bingbing

​Chinese actor Li Chen made the headlines last week when a picture of him backstage at Chinese singer Jason Zhang’s concert was posted online.

The photo, which was posted by Jason’s wife, Chinese host Xie Na, saw Li Chen looking especially haggard and thin, and almost unrecognisable. 

​Many fans were taken aback when they saw the picture, with some speculating that the actor’s weight loss had something to do with his recent breakup with fellow actress Fan Bingbing. The actor announced that he and his fiancé of two years decided to remain as close friends in late June. A number of reports claimed that the actor had succumbed to depression after breaking up, and that he had isolated himself from his friends and family.

However, Li Chen’s agency later stepped up to deny the reports, explaining the reason behind his weight loss. According to his agency, the photo had been slightly retouched, and the lighting in the room was unflattering, causing him to look especially haggard. 

Additionally, the actor has been working hard to lose weight to better suit an upcoming role that will require him to play a teenager for a particular segment. The 40-year-old therefore went on a diet to look the part.