EXCLUSIVE By Maggie Gibson TWELVE years ago Olly McGuffog lay in a hospital bed with a broken neck, now the fitness fanatic could be the new cover star of a men s magazine. He was lucky to survive the car smash in which he was a back seat passenger but ag

EXCLUSIVE

By Maggie Gibson

TWELVE years ago Olly McGuffog lay in a hospital bed with a broken neck, now the fitness fanatic could be the new cover star of a men's magazine.

He was lucky to survive the car smash in which he was a back seat passenger but aged just 16 he faced a long and painful recovery.

Being inactive for long periods left him so weak his parents had to hold and support his neck so he could be washed.

But the accident was a turning point in his life and he made the decision he would get fit and look after his body.

The 28-year-old carpenter from Tilney St Lawrence has beaten thousands of entrants to reach the final of a competition to grace the cover of Men's Health magazine.

"I was quite a small teenager in any case but after the accident I was in neck collars for a long time and my muscles just withered away," said Mr McGuffog. "I decided I would go to the gym and I have never looked back."

The weedy teenager weighed eight and half stone, now he is super fit and weighs around 13 stone.

Mr McGuffog works out five times a week at Shapers in Wisbech. He said: "It is just home from home. I have a very active job in any case and that also helps me keep fit."

Each visit to the gym involves cardio workouts and then Mr McGuffog concentrates on working one other part of his body. He said: "I might do shoulders one night and chest the next. I also stick to a diet during the week with lots of salad, chicken and protein drinks."

He has already been to London for a photo shoot. The winner of the competition will be featured on the front of the October issue of the magazine which hits the shops on September 10.

But even if he wins, Mr McGuffog has no plans to go into full-time modelling. He said: "I enjoy my job too much to give it up.