But his determination to see his sons grow up led the Sunderland man to remortgage his house to pay for gastric bypass surgery.

Since the operation Darren has shed 12 stone in 12 months, and says his life has been transformed.

Now the 40-year-old, from Red House, has set up a website to help other people desperate to lose weight.

Darren admits he was always bigger than average, but working as a club steward saw him piling on the weight.

He would snack on crisps during his shifts at Red House Workmen's Club, then scoff a takeaway after work.

Healthy eating campaigners have called for the Government to place warnings on the fatty treats Darren used to enjoy.
But Darren says he has never blamed anyone else for him being overweight.

"It is down to people in general to eat less and do more," he said. "I was just comfort eating at work."

As a result, his health and confidence began to suffer.

A few months before his 40th birthday Darren's excessive weight was causing sleep apnoea – a condition where breathing stops during sleep – joint problems and diabetes.

His family begged him to lose weight, but he had tried and failed with conventional diets.

He said: "I'd tried everything but I had no willpower. I'd eat takeaways and crisps. I was always big, but never as big as I was.
"But now my self-esteem now is totally different. My personal hygiene is better and I've got no joint problems."

Darren first heard about gastric bypass surgery when one of the bar workers mentioned seeing it performed on TV.

Once he'd been declared suitable, Darren had to find the cash to pay for the procedure, which he opted to have done privately at Spire Hospital Leeds on Monday, November 6.

After talking the idea through with wife Elizabeth, 43, he took the plunge, and remortgaged their house to raise the £13,500 needed.

When asked if it has been money well spent, Darren's thoughts turn immediately to his two sons, Dylon, nine, and Jamie, seven.

"It is priceless what I have got back," he said.

"I can do things with them know that I couldn't do before. Now I just want to help people. They can do what I have done and they can change their lives."

Once word got out about Darren's operations, the whole community got behind him, including regulars at Red House club.

He said: "This club is the love of my life. All my family were totally behind me in doing this operation. And I have to thank all the people in Red House as they have all supported me. Everyone who comes in the club has been asking how I was doing."

He now weighs 19st and wants to lose another five stone to hit his target weight.

YOU can find out more information about gastric bypass operations and see pictures of Darren's weightloss at www.bandandbypasssurgery.com.