'I loved the show and I really liked how well it was put together': Sunderland super eater Kyle Gibson speaks on appearance on TV

The 20-year-old from Houghton starred in a one-off Channel 4 documentary called Battle of the Super Eaters: 3000 Calories a Minute on Thursday.

The show followed three UK competitive eaters, who can consume mountains of food in minutes.

Starring alongside Kyle were Adam Moran, the UK's number one professional eater and his record-breaking rival Leah Shutkever.

Producers at Channel 4 say competitive eating is one of the world's fastest-growing and most controversial “sports”, with super eaters getting through 10,000 calories in one go.

Speaking after the show Kyle said: “I loved the show and I really liked how well it was put together.

“All my friends and family really enjoyed it too and I have definitely gained quite a few followers on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

“I definitely think it was a good way of breaking down any potential negative stereotypes around the sport.”

Kyle started competitive eating four years ago and has taken part in numerous food challenges across the UK.Such challenges have seen him take part in the likes of the Big O Pizza Challenge in Northern Ireland where he demolished a 32.5in onion and ham pizza in a record of just 23minutes 48 seconds.

Others have seen Kyle consume 16oz of steak in just two hours 30 minutes at a butchers in West Yorkshire.

Since appearing on the show the competitive eater shows no signs of slowing down – with new challenges already in the pipeline.

Kyle works out seven days a week at Evolution Fitness in Houghton and in the run up to a competition t rains his stomach by having a “giant meal” 16 to 24 hours before.

Kyle, who works as a chef at the Wild Boar Wetherspoon in Houghton, hopes to travel in America taking part in various challenges.

He said: “I am now gearing up to do the 2019 Yorkshire Pudding Eating competition and then on Sunday, June 23, I will be doing the 8lb Undefended Burger Challenge in Norwich.”