'I was one drink away from death' - former boxer

Neil Kirkwood has lost nearly half his weight in 12 months

A former heavyweight boxer has opened up about his two-decade struggle with alcoholism, how he lost 20 stone and found his way back to the sport he loves.

Neil Kirkwood, who at the height of his career fought future world champion Nikolai Valuev, said his alcohol addiction began when his parents died in the early 2000s.

Years of drinking and eating to excess meant he "ballooned" to nearly 40 stone (254kg) and was no longer able to shop in high street clothing stores or fit into a dentist's chair.

When a doctor told him "one more drink and you'll be dead" in November last year, Mr Kirkwood, who was drinking three bottles of vodka per day at that point, knew it was time for change.

"I didn't want to die," the 55-year-old from Barnsley said.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, help and support is available from the BBC Action Line.

Neil Kirkwood said his family motivated him to turn his life around

A big motivational factor to turn his life around was his partner and family, in particular his grandchildren who he used to take on holidays on a regular basis.

"I wanted to go running, go on rides at the funfair but I couldn't put the seat belt on, I was just too fat," he recalled.

"I couldn't travel, I couldn't fit in the caravan. It upset me, I cried."

Addressing his alcohol addiction - which nearly cost him his relationship with partner Theresa - and changing his lifestyle was a gruelling process that required consistency and discipline, he said.

His big incentive was to "stay alive", his motivation was his support system and his hope to one day return to the ring.

"The boxing is just the focus but the biggest challenge, the biggest fight in my life was coming off alcohol, fighting depression and losing weight," he said.

Neil Kirkwood said he struggled with his mental health after his parents died in the early 2000s.

With a new training regime consisting of gym classes, strength training and swimming, Mr Kirkwood quickly began to shed the pounds.

He said he now weighs just over 19 stone (120kg) and has been sober for 12 months.

On Sunday, for the first time in 22 years, he will dust off his boxing gloves and begin training in preparation for his last ever fight in April next year.

While nervous about his return to the sport, Mr Kirkwood said it marked the end of his 20-year journey "back to myself".

"If just one person can take something away from my interview: you can turn your life around, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, it's never too late," he said.

"You can ask for help - please ask for help. It's never the end, nothing is that bad that you can't get through it. If I can do it, anybody can."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.