Former Toon star in a very different strip
FORMER Newcastle United winger David Ginola has stripped off for a campaign to promote men’s body confidence.
The French star is one of a string of celebrities who have posed in their pants for Loose Women’s campaign to encourage men to talk about their bodies.
Ginola, 50, suffered a massive heart attack last year, which he says has changed his outlook.
He said: “One day I just fell on the floor and was dead [for eight minutes]. The clinic told me that nine out of 10 people who return after that happens are in a vegetative state. I must have a lucky star - that must be my mother up there watching over me.
“After what’s happened to me I want to do something positive with my life, help other men take a look at their body and their health, and this campaign is helping with those things.”
Ginola, 50, added: “The shoot says to men - you don’t need to be ashamed of talking about your body. I think we should all be proud of ourselves.” Joining Ginola are fellow footballer Robbie Savage, Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli, Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward, This Morning’s medical expert Dr Ranj, TV justice man Judge Rinder and former boxer Frank Bruno. Last year, Loose Women’s female panellists posed in their swimwear for the show’s Body Stories campaign to encourage women to embrace their shape.
A Loose Women survey revealed 73% of men said they do not talk about how they feel about their body and over a quarter of men cannot name a body part that they like most.
Boxing star Bruno, 55, said he signed up after being impressed by the original campaign.
The former heavyweight world champion said: “It’s for a very good cause because everyone has got different problems when they look at themselves and criticise [themselves]. More importantly it’s all about the sort of person you are, not what you look like.”
He added: “The sad thing with youngsters is they want to look bigger than they are, puffed out and solid and whatever. But you’ve got to get the right balance, because you can look big and lift up weights but if you can’t run up the stairs, you get knackered.
“Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Love yourself as much as you can, if you can’t love yourself, who can love you?”
I want to do something positive with my life, help other men take a look at their body and their health David Ginola