Tony and Cherie, looking trimmer on their junket diet in Beijing

And judging by these photographs of former premier Tony Blair in China, the weight has also been disappearing everywhere.

Dressed in a black slim-fit polo shirt and crisp white linen trousers, he looked slimmer and trimmer than ever before. 

Shaping up: Tony and Cherie Blair in China on Monday

Despite regular gym visits and occasional games of tennis during his years at Britain's helm, Mr Blair, 55, still managed to pile on the pounds. 

Working long hours and enjoying free formal dinners conspired to swell his naturally lean frame.

But since leaving Downing Street last year, he has managed to slim, and now has a body many men half his age would envy.

In 2005: The Blairs are no longer as rounded and heavy as they were three years ago

The relaxed look on his face, meanwhile, is easy to explain - he and wife Cherie have famously always loved holidays, and they were pictured on Monday being treated like an emperor and empress at the Terracotta Warriors museum in Xi'an, north west China.

Despite their formal reception at this wonder of the world, both were notably casually dressed, with Mr Blair sporting a deep-brown tan.

And both seem to be untroubled by the mounting problems faced by their former neighbour from hell, current Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and predictions that the Labour Party are doomed to lose the next General Election.

Well hello there: Mr Blair takes a close look at a terracotta warrior

All of the unpleasantness of domestic politics was half a world and long months away as the Blair family moved on to the latest stage of a five-week holiday that began in Malaysia.

No-one is saying who is paying for the jaunt.

Mr Blair seemed rather fascinated by the ancient terracotta army, which was only discovered 30 years ago, and which he has long had a personal interest in.

Celebration: Mrs Blair and her youngest child Leo cheer the Great Britain cyclist team in Beijing

Applause: Mr Blair and his daughter Kathryn clap the GB cycling team

While still in office, he signed a cultural accord with China which paved the way for the recent visit by some of the life-size warriors to Britain.

And just as the first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang 2,200 years ago had the warriors and their steeds created to ensure he would live on after his death, Mr Blair is well known to have wanted a lasting legacy.

Today he was more concerned with watching the Olympics, and was in Beijing with daughter Kathryn, 20, to see British cyclist Chris Hoy win his third gold medal.

Looking up: Mrs Blair strikes an unflattering pose as they watch the action