Barry Austin: I want to be the new John Candy

Jul 11 2010 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

Barry Austin

BIG Barry Austin is hoping to become a heavyweight Hollywood star after being lined up for a string of new movie roles.

And Birmingham’s most famous fatty has declared he wants to be ‘the British John Candy’ after being head-hunted following an appearance in a Brit-flick.

Barry became an instant celebrity when he was named Britain’s heaviest man in 2004 after once topping the scales at 65 stone.

But the Sunday Mercury recently revealed had become bed-ridden and had been unable to leave his Solihull home for NINE months because of his weight.

But Barry bounced back and discovered a new-found determination to get fit.

And after starring as a Kung Fu fighter in new British movie Just for the Record, alongside Danny Dyer and glamour model Amii Grove, other film roles have come flooding in.

Barry, 41, said: “I’d hit rock bottom, so to be getting these offers now is mind-blowing.

“My first priority is still to drop as much weight as I can but then it’s to get off the social and earn money from these acting jobs.

“It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to get involved.”