'I lost 92lbs after meeting Sir David Jason'
At his heaviest, he weighed 19st 12lbs, and wore 44'' trousers and XXXL t-shirts. But his habits changed overnight when he met his hero, Sir David Jason, at an Only Fools and Horses Convention in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire in August 2024. Speaking about their mutual love for Derek Trotter, Sir David shared his admiration for his character for "getting up every morning with a positive mindset" thinking 'today could be the best day of my life" - despite the set backs he faced in the sitcom.
The very next day, inspired Barry started going to the gym and cut out chocolate, crisps and sweets. He lost an incredible losing 6st 8lb - now weighing 13st 4lbs - and credits his weight loss to his hero, Del Boy. Proud Barry met Sir David again in March 2025 at the same convention and told him how his words inspired his change in perspective.
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Barry from Aberdeen, Scotland, said: 'He told me about his character and how bad his life was, but he got up every morning with a positive mindset at all times. I've idolised this guy for thirty years. The next day after the convention, I joined the gym, totally changed my diet, and walked in public.
'It was because I had so much respect for this guy and I've got so much time for him and I looked into his eyes and I knew that he was actually interested and cared. If I was ever going to make myself proud, I wanted to meet him again, and talk to him about his words and how they spurred me on.
"He said he couldn't believe that he had inspired me, and he said it was great to meet me again. It made me feel so good about myself."
Barry described himself as a "big lad" growing up. "I was having up to 12 bottles of fizzy full coke daily, some days up to 24 bags of crisps," he said.
Speaking of his lifelong love for Only Fools and Horses he added: 'You are so into that family, and you want the best for them. "The acting is great, and I love all the characters. Sir David's story is great, and that is what you see throughout the show, you get a real connection with all of the characters."
He told Sir David about how much the show meant to him at the convention. "People have said to never meet your heroes but Sir David Jason was absolutely brilliant," he said.
'The words that came from Sir David changed my life. He said that my binge eating has to stop and my gambling has to stop. My admiration for David and his words changed my life."
Barry replaced his bacon butty breakfasts with avocado on toast, and his dinner of pasties became steak with asparagus. He also joined the gym, working out three times a week.
"I would watch Only Fools and Horses every day," he said. "It kept me going.'
Now he wears 34'' size trousers and large t-shirts - and showed off his new frame to Sir David last month. "He said he remembered me and he talked to me about the weight and he said what Derek Trotter can do to people.'
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