A Portland man has been selected for the Slimming World’s Man of the Year competition.

Mick Adams, 52, from Portland was one of 34 men put forward for the competition which took place on July 8 at the Slimming World Headquarters in Derbyshire.

Nell McAndrew, model and marathon runner, attended the event offering fitness advice and encouragement to Slimming World members.

The model who was also on I’m a Celebrity is passionate about health and fitness after completing the London Marathon this year.

The competition comes after new statistics were revealed that two-thirds of men in the UK are overweight according to Slimming World and YouGov studies. Health and diet programmes like Slimming World have therefore seen a dramatic increase in the amount of men attending meetings. Nicky Maynard, who runs the Portland group said: “When I became a consultant six years ago there were only one or two men but at my group in Portland now there are 15 men.”

Nicky Maynard said it was an honour to have Mick in the finals.

She said: “Mick really is an ambassador for Slimming World.

“Most people can’t believe the change in him.”

Mick has lost 10st 11lb and with friends not recognising him in the street to meeting famous models, Mr Adams has achieved a lot since starting Slimming World.

He said: “I was pleased when I found out I’d made the finals of Slimming World’s Man of the Year competition, but I didn’t lose weight to win a competition. I did it to improve my health and to be able to do more with my family, and I’ve done that, which is the best prize I could ask for.”

Mr Adams added: “I now go around other groups all over the country and talk about my weight loss journey to encourage others.

“Encouraging and helping each other is what it’s really about.”

The winner of Man of the Year Competition was James Pepper from Lincolnshire who won an all-inclu