SUPER slimmer Wayne Gafney is over the moon after being crowned the greatest loser - of nearly 10st in weight.

Wayne, 46, from Colchester, has lost a life-changing 9st 10lbs in just six months

to take the title which is awarded to the member of the Abbots Road Slimming World group who has lost the most weight.

Wayne, who has dropped from 23st 1lb to 13st 4 lbs, said at his heaviest he struggled to complete every day tasks.

He joined the Slimming World group in September.

Wayne said: “My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes to fit, to not being able to do simple every day tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.

“Before I lost the weight I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself I knew my smile wasn’t real.”

Wayne’s weight was also putting a huge strain on his health. He said: “I suffered with sleep apnea, I had to wear mask to sleep.

“My joints were always hurting if I had to walk long distances and had high cholesterol.

“Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I was embarrassed about my size and scared I might be the biggest person there.

“I needn’t have worried though.

“Since then I’ve made so many friends and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week.”

Wayne has gone from a 52ins waist to a trim 32ins.

He spent every day walking and followed the club’s eating plan avoiding takeaways and sweets.

He said: “I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers and chips and roast dinners but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter.”

Alice Turburville, his weight loss coach, said: “The changes we’ve seen in Wayne are incredible.”

Each of Slimming World’s 19,000 groups has its own Greatest Loser 2019 and winners will go forward to the national competition.

Wayne is waiting to find out if he is in the running for the £3,000 cash prize.