'Being a professional bodybuilder hasn't sunk in'

Jay Baggaley said it had been a "whirlwind" two years

A bodybuilder who turned professional just 10 months after first competing in the sport has told how it "hasn't really sunk in".

Jay Baggaley has been selected to represent Britain in Poland and will also be taking part in the Mr Universe competition later this month.

The 31-year-old from Standish, Wigan, said he was inspired to get into the sport after being given copies of a bodybuilding magazine which included photos of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr Baggaley, who has a two-year-old son, said: "It's been insane. It's not really sunk in for me, to be honest."

"I managed to win my first show which is quite rare and that was a gamechanger for me," he added.

"I turned up to the show alone because I thought I was going to place dead last."

Before deciding to take up the sport he said he had to be "100% sure this was the passion I wanted to pursue", since he would need to follow a strict diet and give up favourite foods like pizza, burgers and crisps.

Jay Baggaley's son, Hunter, with one of his medals

He said his son, Hunter enjoyed looking at his medals and trophies, and would always say "daddy is off to the gym to build muscles".

Mr Baggaley, who combines bodybuilding with being a phlebotomist and a personal trainer, said he would be competing in the World Fitness Federation European Championships in Poland in November.

Jay Baggaley pictured with his fiancee Lindsay

His strict diet in the lead up to competitions involves eating 450g of protein a day in the form of eight chicken breasts and around 800g of fish and beef, as well as drinking apple cider vinegar.

He said his daily routine also involved waking at 04:45 BST with training including gym work and "posing practice", which is something bodybuilders are judged on in competitions.