A Suffolk man has reached the semi-finals of a UK slimming competition after shedding more than 4 stone.

Super slimmer Scott Halls made it to the final of Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2023 after members of his Stowmarket group voted for him to reach the next stage.

Mr Halls, 50, slimmed down from 18st 2lbs to 13st 12.5lbs after joining Slimming World because he was unhappy with his weight.

Stowmarket Mercury:

He said: “I’d been unhappy with my weight for a while, yet I just didn’t face up to it – deep down, I wanted to lose weight, but I didn’t want to ask for help.

“If you told me a few years ago that I would be representing my local Slimming World group at the national finals of the Man of the Year competition, I would have laughed. I still can’t believe it.

“I was nervous walking through those doors [to the group] for the first time and didn’t really know what to expect, but I wasn’t the only man there and everyone was warm and welcomingt. Going to group now just feels like a catch up with my friends."

Stowmarket Mercury:

Kelly Cooper, who runs the Stowmarket Slimming World group, added: “His determination and motivation has never faded.

"He’s a real inspiration to the whole group and I hope he inspires other people in Suffolk to join our group and take the first step towards losing weight for good.

“Men often think Slimming World isn’t a man’s world but actually research shows that men lose more weight than women when they join, as well as dramatically improving their physical and mental health."

The national title winner of Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2023 will be announced at the end of August.