Mr Universe bodybuilder Shaun Davis dies aged just 57 leaving pals ‘absolutely devastated’
Davis spent three years waiting for a kidney transplant
MR Universe bodybuilder Shaun Davis has died aged just 57 – leaving his pals “absolutely devastated”.
Davis, nicknamed “Dinosaur”, won the Mr Universe title in 1996 before kidney problems forced him to retire.
He received dialysis three times a week before receiving a kidney transplant in 2009 after a three-year wait.
Davis, from Long Eaton in Derbyshire, weighed a whopping 334lbs at the height of his Mr Universe success.
He is survived by his partner Helen Burrows and their daughter.
Tributes poured in for the champion bodybuilder, with Helen sharing a snap of the couple on Facebook.
Local councillor Richard McRae said: “RIP Shaun Davis, a very well-known and respected gentleman who most definitely put Long Eaton on the map.
“Shaun was Mr Universe in 1996. He was also Mr. UK, Mr. Britain, Mr. Europe and Mr. Pro Universe.”
Close friend Kuldeep Bhardwaj said: “Just received terrible news from Helen Burrows the passing of my friend Shaun Davis.
“I’m absolutely devastated. Rest in Peace my friend.
“You were a true inspiration right from the day I met you at school, through your amazing bodybuilding years and after.
“Your smile and laughter will be missed.”
Davis urged Brits to sign up to the transplant donor register after his kidney failure ordeal.
In a 2009 interview, he said: “It really hammers it home, since the transplant, that more and more people are desperate for kidneys.
“There are people out there who are dying waiting for kidneys.”
The bodybuilder recounted how his daughter wrote a letter thanking Father Christmas for his new kidney.
He said: “That broke me to tears because she’s been praying for a kidney for her daddy.
“She asked for one last Christmas and it didn’t come.”