Bury St Edmunds taxi driver Colin Musgrove has lost nearly six stone with Slimming World ahead of starring role as René in ‘Allo ‘Allo 2 at the Theatre Royal

A Bury St Edmunds taxi driver is on the road to hitting his target weight, while preparing to tread the boards playing a comedy icon.

Colin Musgrove, 59, has lost nearly six stone since joining Slimming World in April and is on track to reach his target weight.

But alongside his weight loss, Colin is set to tread the boards at the Theatre Royal, starring as René in Bury St Edmunds Operatic Dramatic Society’s production of ‘Allo ‘Allo 2 – The Camembert Caper, from October 15-19.

When Colin joined consultant Helen Mason’s Friday morning Slimming World group, at Southgate Community Centre, he weighed more than 23 stone, was in pain with his hip and could not stand for long. He had been told his BMI was too high for surgery.

Helen said: “Colin had never tried Slimming World before and initially said ‘good luck with helping someone like me’. The next Friday Colin was blown away to discover that he had lost 13.5lbs in his first week.

“I am immensely proud to say that 20 weeks later Colin has already lost and 5 stone and 13.5lbs. He began with walking as his preferred exercise and is well on his way to achieving one of our physical exercise awards, called Body Magic Awards.

“Last week Colin joined the local gym and now visits twice a week for “gym and swim’ – not something he ever dreamed of doing.”