Michael is one to nation’s top young slimmers

Michael Graham, who weighed 19st 8lb, suffered badly at the hands of bullies and began over-eating and started locking himself in his room.

However, after joining a Slimming World class attended by his mum, Andrea, at Higherford Methodist Church, Michael has managed to shed the pounds.

Andrea says she couldn’t be more proud of her son. She said: “The difference in his confidence is the most noticeable thing.

“It was devastating to see him bullied, he used to come home from school upset and there wasn’t a lot I could do about it. I spoke to the school a couple of times but there’s only so much they can do too.

“It is truly heartbreaking to see your own son in that way.”

Michael, who has just left Fisher More High School, was awarded a runners-up prize in the Slimming World Young Slimmer of the Year national competition because of his amazing transformation.

“He’s started going to the gym now too since losing the weight,” added Andrea. “Because it’s given him the confidence to do more things.

“Even something as simple as buying clothes. Previously he couldn’t really get any clothes he liked but now he can go into the high street shops and buy things that he feels more comfortable in.

“He also now has his lovely red hair back. He’s naturally ginger but during the bullying he felt the need to dye it black but he’s confident enough now to have it back.”

Michael is now due to start a new chapter in his life and will start an engineering course at Nelson and Colne College after the summer break.