A HUDDERSFIELD slimmer is a fraction of the man he was.

Richard Shaw, of Sheepridge, has lost an incredible 9st 2lbs in 18 months.

And he has received a special congratulations from former model and I’m A Celebrity star, Nell McAndrew.

Richard’s weight had soared to 23stone 6lbs when he decided enough was enough.

After trying a few different methods, the dad decided he would head along to his local slimming club.

A year and a half later he is now 14stone 2lbs.

He said: “Most men would do anything to lose weight before going to a slimming club.

“When I first went along to Slimming World I expected to feel like the odd one out – one man nervously gate-crashing a group of women – but it wasn’t like that.

“Everyone was incredibly welcoming and very supportive and ultimately, we were all there for the same reason – we wanted to lose weight and be fitter, happier and healthier.”

Richard, who is married to Jo-Sara, said that at first his friends thought it was all ‘a bit girly’ but they changed their minds once they saw his diet plan.