A TOP slimmer was given the chance to meet a former England international footballer after reaching the semi-finals of a weight loss competition.

Stuart Mackay, from Crewe, was one of 38 men from the UK and Ireland to win a place at the semi-finals of Slimming World's Man of the Year 2017 competition after losing 6st 7.5lbs.

The 41-year-old was congratulated by former Chelsea and Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge during the semi-finals, after slimming from 21st 6lbs to just 14st 12.5lbs.

Stuart, who is a member of the Coppenhall Slimming World group, believes it can be hard for men to admit that they need help to lose weight – and that it is especially difficult for them to walk through the doors of a slimming club for the first time.

"It took quite a lot for me to admit that I had a weight problem to begin with, so actually deciding to do something about it and join my local Slimming World group was another big step," he said.

"Thankfully I came to the conclusion that my health and happiness was the most important thing and plucked up the courage to go along that first time.

"I was a bit concerned I’d have to survive on a bit of salad. I couldn’t have been more wrong though, I eat just as much as before now, if not more.

"Steak and chips, cooked breakfasts and curries are all still on the menu, I’ve just had to make some simple swaps like ditching the olive oil or butter in favour of low-calorie cooking spray and trimming the fat off of meat.

"I was a bit hesitant to tell people I was going to a slimming group at first, but once they noticed I was losing weight, the results spoke for themselves and I didn’t get any of the comments I expected."

Wayne, who has now hung up his football boots and appeared on I’m a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here!, was blown away by the achievements of the men he met at the competition.

"It was a pleasure to meet Stuart and I can’t believe his transformation, he doesn’t look like the same bloke," he said.

"I really have to take my hat off to him for recognising that he had a problem and then having the courage to do something about it.

"I think many people would be guilty of thinking that going to a slimming club isn’t very manly so that makes it even harder for men to take that first step. He’s definitely a top bloke in my book."

Sarah Fisher, who runs the Coppenhall group, added: "A lot of men think that slimming clubs are female-only zones, and Stuart is living proof that this isn’t the case.

"In fact, there are now 60,000 men attending Slimming World groups, which goes to show that men need just as much support as women to slim down and improve their health.

"Slimming World works for everyone, so I hope Stuart inspires lots of other men in Crewe who’d like to lose weight to take that step and join our group."

For more information about the Coppenhall Working Mens Club group, call Sarah on 07940 171696.