An English football mascot has reportedly been sacked by a club following his weight loss after being diagnosed with diabetes.
According to the Daily Star, 59-year-old Lenny Berry, who has played a bowler hat-wearing mascot called City Gent for almost 20 years for football club Bradford City, had shed seven stones (44 kilograms) and became too thin to bounce up and down the sidelines leading the cheers.
Following Berry's weight loss, the League One club's chiefs forced him to quit his role, saying that his new frame did not suit the image of the cuddly mascot, originally played by their late chairman Stafford Heginbotham, with the report adding that the decision was even more strengthened by Berry's refusal to wear a fat suit to continue in the role.
The club chiefs also told Berry that even if he can carry on in his role in a fat suit, he would no longer be able to take part in charity events or give young mascots match-day tours.
However, Berry, who took on the job in 1994 after being spotted working in the players' bar, said that he is 'absolutely gutted' and has cried over his sacking even though he is a grown man, although he added that he is disappointed with the way the situation has been dealt with, and not with the club or the team.
