Thinking BIG

John Welsh is bursting to be the best.

And the beefy 36-year-old is halfway there after qualifying for both the European and British bodybuilding finals - in the space of just two days.

Months of strict discipline and diet went out of the window as John, from Streatham, celebrated last week's amazing feat by tucking into a curry.

His usual protein-packed diet of chicken, fish and turkey was ditched in favour of a day-long binge on sweets and chocolate before demolishing a chicken korma.

Musclebound John said: "I'd been dieting for months to keep in shape but I cracked and was a bit naughty on Monday. It's only natural to have cravings."

John trains at least two hours a day to keep his body beautiful.

When he is not down at Peckham's LA Gym pumping iron, he can usually be found at Battersea's Millennium Arena, where he doubles up as a gym instructor and a sports masseur.

Olympic champ Seb Coe and star sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis are among those who have benefited from his expertise.

Next month he takes on the cream of the Continent at the under 80kg European EBF Championships in Strasbourg.

And he could complete a bodybuilding 'double' by being crowned EFBB British Champ in the same category in Nottingham in October.

Also at the British Championship will be stablemate, training partner and fellow south Londoner Troy Brown.

Troy, 25, from Charlton, will be competing for the crown of British Men's Champion in Nottingham after also qualifying last week.

He said: "John and me are the best of mates. Obviously, with him being older than me, he is passing on all his experience. "We push each other on and it's good having someone to train hard and keep to our diet."

He estimates he carried an amazing four per cent body fat at last Sunday's qualifying session and says he is in the best shape of his life.