A single dad was finally able to enjoy a rollercoaster ride with his daughter after he lost 11 and a half stones.

Shaun Kay cried tears of joy when he sat next to his daughter on the Disneyland Paris ride and the safety bar fitted.

Only 18 months before he had been forced to leave the ride because he was too overweight.

He said: "I was shaking as I queued. The anxiety was kicking in. I was so worried I wasn't going to fit.

"My daughter looked at me and held my hand. When that bar went down I knew I had made it. We held hands and cried."

It was the same Finding Nemo attraction that kick-started Shaun's weight loss journey, after he faced the mortal embarrassment of having to leave it because he was too big at 28 stones.

"I never normally go near rollercoasters because of the fear of being big but I'm an adrenalin junkie and I thought I'd give it a go," he said.

Shaun, of Castle Road, Chatham, queued with five-year-old Grace for their turn.

He added: "We got to the front. We sat down. And the safety bar wouldn't go down.

"They had to stop the ride and everyone had to wait for us to get off. It felt like there were hundreds watching. I was so embarrassed. My daughter was really upset."

The 37-year-old says it was Grace's distraught face that was the wake-up call he needed to sort out his weight.

After seeking his doctor's advice, Shaun was referred to Slimming World where he managed to follow its food plan and lost five stone in four months.

However, when he left – thinking he could do it on his own – his weight ballooned back to 28 stones.

He had his second wake up call, however, when he suddenly collapsed.

"My daughter was really worried. There are heart problems in my family and it made me realise I really needed to sort myself out," he said.

The railway engineer, who struggled with his weight ever since breaking his leg rollerblading at the age of 10, returned to Slimming World and saw the weight drop off.

"I was in a bad place. I was drinking and gambling, going to kebab shops. Strawberry haribo."

Since dropping the pounds Shaun, who confessed to previously getting a bus down the road rather than walking, has climbed Mount Snowdon to raise money for charity and competed in a charity boxing match.

He has also seen his whole life turnaround. He has met a new partner, Kirsty, and has made enough money to finally own his own house.

He has also taken on a role as a consultant for the weight loss programme and is keen to encourage more men to come to sessions.

He added: "There is such a stigma that it is a woman's world. I tried twice before I finally walked in the door. In the end I decided I just had to man up and go.

"It can feel demoralising when you are so big and I know exactly how people are feeling.

"Seeing them cry on the scales because they have achieved their target is the best feeling.

"I love seeing their faces light up and the change it makes to their lives."

If you are interested in becoming a Slimming World consultant in Medway contact the area's team developer Jessica George on 07828 297405.