Louis Theroux poses shirtless and sweaty in ‘thirst trap’ photo, sending fans into a frenzy

Louis Theroux may have just broken the internet...

Louis Theroux
(Image credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Journalist, author, and our fave documentary filmmaker, Louis Theroux has delighted fans and celebrity friends by posting a very sweaty, post-workout photo to his Instagram account, with many branding it his very first 'thirst trap', or more hilariously, “therouxst trap.”

Getting an at home workout into his morning routine, Louis mused on his love for Joe Wicks 15-minute workouts alongside his shirtless selfie. 

“As the future looks uncertain again it’s important to look after your physical and mental health. I just did the Joe Wicks 15 minute Bondi Beach workout on YouTube and I already feel a million times better. Take care of yourselves” he wrote.

Unsurprisingly, the comments section blew up as fans and celeb friends alike couldn’t help express their admiration for the star's latest snap with Dawn O’Porter exclaiming, “DID YOU SWEAT ON THE CARPET?!?!???” alongside personal trainer and author Alive Living asking Louis to try one of her workouts instead, “Ummmm LOUIS! Please come and try one of my workouts soon 💪🏻.”

Louis’s fans were quick to discuss how his latest post had brightened their mornings, with many commenting on how this is the photo they’ve all been waiting for. One said, “thanks Louis. We all needed this to perk us up this morning. I assume you have a calendar coming out 😉🤣.”

While one joked, “Helping the ladies get Theroux another Covid Christmas! 😍😁” followed by, “Jeez Louis leave some ladies for the rest of us 😂”

Of course it’s not the first time Louis has stripped off in the name of public interest. As part of his series Altered States in 2018, one episode on polyamory saw him take part in a sensual dinner alongside participants who explore open relationships. Blindfolded and shirtless, Louis was stoked and caressed by naked strangers at the event run by Sex Positive Portland all in the name of journalism. 

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Theroux The Keyhole: Diaries of a grounded documentary maker, Was £20, Now £16.99 | Waterstones

Theroux The Keyhole: Diaries of a grounded documentary maker, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Ftheroux-the-keyhole%2Flouis-theroux%2F9781509880416" data-link-merchant="waterstones.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was £20, Now £16.99 | Waterstones

Theroux the Keyhole is an honest, hilarious and ultimately heartwarming diary of the weirdness of family life in a COVID world.

And who can forget the time he stripped naked for a documentary on the porn industry? The 1997 episode was recently unearthed by Louis himself when he revisited some of his earlier work during the pandemic. 

Louis Theroux: Life on the Edge saw him catch up with characters from his previous docs including an episode where he was photographed naked by a porn producer, and, according to Louis, he still doesn’t know where that polaroid got to. Maybe it'll be making an appearance on his Instagram feed soon...

Lydia Swinscoe
Travel writer & editor

Lydia is a travel writer and solo travel expert, based mostly in London. Her work has been published in print and online for the likes of Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, BBC Travel, Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, Marie Claire, Oh magazine, Town&Country, and woman&home.