Norfolk man loses eight stone through Slimming World

Paul Edwards, 62, reached the semi-finals of Slimming World’s 2024 Man of the Year competition, where he also met former England midfielder and pundit Lee Sharpe. 

Mr Edwards was nominated for the accolade by his fellow Great Yarmouth group members.

He was joined by 38 other men from across the UK and Ireland at Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire.

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Mr Edwards, who slimmed down from 21st 2.5lbs to 13st 2.5lbs, said: "I had been unhappy with my weight for a while, yet I just didn’t face up to it.

Paul Edwards before his weight loss (Image: Slimming World)

"Deep down I wanted to lose weight, but I didn’t want or really know how to ask for help.

"I will admit I was a bit apprehensive about joining a Slimming World group, but I soon started to recommend it to all my mates who wanted to lose weight too.

"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 wouldn’t have believed you."

Lee Sharpe, who played for Manchester United and Leeds United and won three Premier League titles, was blown away by the men he met at the competition.

L-R Super slimmer Paul Edwards from Norfolk with former footballer Lee Sharpe (Image: Slimming World)

He said: "It was a pleasure to meet Paul – I can’t believe his transformation, he doesn’t look like the same bloke!"

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Kellie Sparkes, who runs the Great Yarmouth Slimming World group, said: “Paul's determination and motivation have never faded – he is a real inspiration to all of the other members."

The group runs at Newtown Methodist Church every Thursday at 5.30pm and 7pm. 

Unfortunately, Mr Edwards was not the overall winner of the competition, with Slimming World's Man of the Year 2024 to be announced later this month.