A HEALTH expert from Ruthin is one of the stars of a new TV series focusing on physical health and mental well-being during the coronavirus lockdown.

Leading radiographer Kevin Jones, has spoken of of his shame in telling diabetic patients to lose weight when he himself weighs in at more than 20st and suffers from the condition himself.

The 53-year-old father-of-three, who has helped keep world class sportspeople including members of the British Olympic team in tip top condition, jumped at the chance to be a health leader on S4C's popular lifestyle show, FFIT Cymru, which starts tomorrow night.

The show’s format has had to be completely changed due to the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Kevin, who regularly works at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor and the Maelor Hospital in Wrexham, says his personal goal is to reverse his Type 2 diabetes after promising his wife, Pam, he would get his health back on track.

He said: “I work with diabetic people often and I feel like a hypocrite because I have to tell them to lose weight while I am myself a Type 2 diabetic.

“Patients need to weigh under 21st to be eligible for treatment with the equipment I use and I am only just under the limit at 20st 5Ibs.

“This will be the third series of FFIT Cymru but due to social distancing and self-isolation it’s impossible to gather for runs and exercise events as in previous series so what we are doing is showing how you can work on both your physical and mental well-being while in lockdown.

“The support from the FFIT Cymru team has been amazing. I’m given a food and an exercise plan and regular phone or Skype interviews with the dietician, physical fitness instructor and phycologist. But the difference in just a few days is amazing.”

“I have been embarrassed and I suppose a bit ashamed for a long time. I’d have patients in who were the same size as me and I’d have to tell them they needed to lose weight due to diabetes. It was shocking and hypocritical.

“We're only a few days in with FFITCymru and I can already feel the difference. I have been given a food plan and it’s amazing.

That’s a big difference to my old lifestyle. Travelling around the country as I do with work I’d stop at a garage for fuel and face Temptation Alley, the walk to the tills with chocolate bars either side.

“Now, I’m doing a seven mile static cycle ride every day in my house as I can’t go out due to the Coronavirus restrictions. That’s followed up with 1,300 steps on the step machine.

“Amazingly the sugar level in my blood is dropping like a stone. It’s frankly amazing. I want to get down to perhaps 15st and which would make a huge difference. You can’t cure diabetes but you can keep it at bay.

“FFIT Cymru can help guide other people across Wales to be fitter and healthier despite social isolation due to this horrible virus."