MOST people would love to eat a big bar of chocolate every night and not put on any weight - but for one Basingstoke man, that was actually part of a much bigger problem with food.

Colin Hunt is taking centre stage in the popular Channel 4 show Supersize vs Superskinny tomorrow night in an attempt to get rid of his food demons, improve his diet and health and actually put on some weight.

The 31-year-old father-of-two has had problems with food since his childhood and admits he has often used chocolate as his comfort - getting through a 250g bar every night.

Mr Hunt said: "I had a bit of a mixed-up childhood, and it sounds silly, but I didn't really have anything stable in my life apart from chocolate.

"I didn't realise what impact my childhood has had on my eating habits until I went on this show."

Mr Hunt's wife Kelly applied on her husband's behalf for him to appear on the show after they had watched the first series.

"I got sick of programmes about people who were really overweight or people who were anorexic - there was never anything for people in between," he said.

The hit reality television show involves someone who is very underweight swapping diets with someone who is very overweight in an attempt to re-programme their thinking about food and so improve their eating habits and health as a result.

At 6ft 3ins, Mr Hunt, of Tasmania Close, Popley, Basingstoke weighed 9st 3lbs when he filmed the programme. He ate so little that he didn't have the energy to keep up with his 10-year-old daughter Emily and eight-month-old baby Ruby.

"Often, when I came in from work, within 10 minutes I was asleep, and that's no good when you've got a young family," he explained.

Mr Hunt's supersize equivalent was 18st Tracey, from Kent, who at just 5ft 4ins, is very overweight.

Speaking about the week-long diet swap, Mr Hunt, a quality control officer for a street lighting company in Basingstoke, said: "I knew I wouldn't be hungry so I wasn't that worried. I actually really enjoyed eating all the different types of food."

He added: "Doing the programme has completely changed my life. I didn't realise how many things, like my mood swings and tiredness, were connected to what food I was eating."

Now, Mr Hunt is eating a more varied diet and eating more in general to build up his energy levels - and ultimately improve his health.

He said the thought of chocolate did "turn his stomach" at the end of the swap, but he now treats himself to the odd chocolate bar - although nothing like the mammoth amount he used to get through.

"I'll have a Kit Kat Chunky or a Double Decker as a treat," he said.

He is also trying all sorts of food and now enjoys eating the same meals as his family and has better relationships with his children and wife.

Mr Hunt said he would encourage anyone who thinks they may have problems with food to go and see a dietician.

"Being on a television programme is not for everyone, but there are loads of dieticians around who you can go to for advice," he explained.

Mr Hunt has put on a few pounds and now weighs in at 10st 4lbs - and he feels much healthier to boot.

"It's the small things you notice. Now, when I run up the stairs, the cheeks on my face wobble - and that's great!"

Mr Hunt appears on tomorrow night's (Tues Feb 3) episode of Supersize vs Superskinny on Channel 4 at 8pm.

Food for thought: What Mr Hunt used to eat - Breakfast - Mars Bar Lunch - Sausage roll Dinner - Spaghetti or pie and mash. What he eats now - Breakfast - muffin or pastry Lunch - a ham salad baguette Dinner - home-made shepherds pie or casseroles