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DANGER DIET
My dad dropped dead in a pub when I was a teenager – he was my hero but I know if I don’t lose weight I could be next
A STAR of new Channel 4 reality show Around The World In 80 Weighs breaks down in tears tonight as he opens up about losing his dad to diabetes.
Russell, 36, who is joined by his wife on the six-episode programme, gets emotional when he's confronted with the past in one scene.
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He jets off to Japan with the rest of the group for the experiment, which sees six obese Brits experience life in some of the world's 'skinniest' countries.
With a diet and lifestyle overhaul in each country, they are weighed in after each stop to see if they can shed the pounds by learning from the different cultural practises.
And in Japan, that sees the group going out on a walk with Mr Ono, who lost weight by being put on a Government-endorsed exercise and food regime, required by law.
When Mr Ono reveals children were scared that he would die from diabetes due to being overweight, Russell breaks down in tears.
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He explains: "My dad, he died when I was 19.
"He had type 2 Diabetes and he run the local pub. He was like a massive character in the village.
"One day he was behind the bar serving someone, and apparently he just put his hand to his face and fell on the floor.
“He was my hero which is the reason I want to have children because I want someone to love me the way that I loved my dad.
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“Looking back, when I was diagnosed with Diabetes I was probably in denial that I had it.
"I’m 36, my dad died when he was 56, that’s only 20 years’ time. That’s going be me if I carry on doing what I’m doing, and I need to do something soon about it.
“Him saying that his child was worried about him having Diabetes and being unwell and obviously I lost my dad and then I’ve got Diabetes as well and I want children.
“That’s why I’m here to sort of shock myself and create new mindset and not just lose weight, but to change how I feel about myself."
Around The World In 80 Weighs airs tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm
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