35-stone Too Fat To Work star says NHS has “let him down” by refusing weight-loss op
Stephen Beer, 46, appeared on This Morning, where he broke down in tears claiming the health service hasn't done enough to help him
Tipping the scales at 35-stone, Stephen Beer's health is in dire straits.
The 46-year-old is at increased risk of a host of chronic diseases, including heart disease, and various forms of cancer.
He has already suffered three strokes.
But the Too Fat To Work star claims the NHS has "let him down", refusing him weight-loss surgery.
Appearing on This Morning today, the star of the benefits show broke down in tears, refusing accusations that he is "lazy".
He told presenters Phil Scofield and Holly Willoughby that his attending bootcamp is testament to the fact he is not lazy.
Instead, he claims the NHS has failed to provide him with the psychological support he claims he needs to lose the weight.
When asked if he felt like he was watching himself slowly die, Stephen broke down.
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He told viewers he had already suffered three strokes.
"The trouble is when I look into the mirror, I slowly see myself going," he said.
He added: "I've been told that if I lose weight I will get surgery.
"But the NHS is just letting me down, I did that and surgery never came my way, it's too late."
Stephen claims the reason he has piled on the pounds has nothing to do with a lack of willpower.
Rather, he tells Phil and Holly, his bulging waistline is the result of "psychological factors".
He says after returning from bootcamp he "had a meltdown" and turned to food for comfort.
It comes as obese patients in part of the UK have been banned from having operations.
Anyone with a Body Mass Index of 30 or above for a year or longer will have to shed ten per cent of their weight before getting treatment.
The move has been annoucned by the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group in North Yorkshire.
The service provider has also banned smokers who refuse to quit from having non-life-threatening procedures such as hip replacements for six months.
And the trade body, NHS Providers warned the move could become the norm.
Head, Chris Hopson said: "It is the only way providers are going to be able to balance their books, and in a way you have to applaud their honesty.
"The service is bursting at the seams."
The ban will not apply to cancer patients or those with conditions that could prove life-threatening.