A MAN who conquered his 40-year battle with weight and shed more than 15st at a Liverpool support group has been made Slimming World’s Man of the Year.

Brian Semple, 63, topped 28st and was living in a “physical minefield”.

His weight was threatening to kill him as he suffered with a suspected heart irregularity, high blood pressure and hip, knee and mobility problems. Brian’s work also suffered as he struggled with constant fatigue.

But the traffic technology consultant joined Slimming World’s Tuebrook group just over a year ago and is now a new man.

He weighed 28st 8lb and is now 13st 6lb. At the start he was too heavy for domestic scales and admits being shocked at finding how heavy he was.

Brian said: “At my last check up the GP said he was looking at a new man. I really feel I’ve rejoined society.”

His success is down to planning meals ahead and cooking his own food with fresh ingredients. The grandfather-of-three goes to the gym and has taken up swimming and walking, which has given a dramatic boost to his health.

Brian started gaining weight within months of leaving school at 16, and by the age of 17 weighed nearly 18st.

He said: “At 30 I became a pub landlord but lost my wife soon after and I turned to food and beer. By the time I was 35 I weighed 20 stone and had to give up playing my beloved rugby.”

His busy life as a motorway traffic signals supervisor meant Brian was on the road eating a diet of railway cafe Cornish pasties and snacks