A SLIMMER was congratulated by a television presenter for getting himself fighting fit.

Mario Napolitano, 49, of Maidenbower in Crawley, was a finalist at Slimming World’s Man of the Year after losing 13st 2lbs in one year. He met Sky Sports’ Charlie Webster, right.

Mr Napolitano, a member of the Maidenbower Slimming World group, said: “I used to feel like I was living life on the sidelines and now I feel happier, healthier and I can do more with my friends and family, so I scored my own hat-trick just in time for the World Cup – which is more than I can say for England – and it’s the best prize I could ask for.”

When he started at Slimming World in July 2013, Mario weighed 24 st 6.5lbs, but now, one year later, he weighs in at a lean 11st 4.5lbs.

Carly Gaywood, who runs the Maindenbower Slimming group, said: “Mario is almost unrecognisable from the man who walked into my group last July.”