YOU sometimes despair at the shallowness of society. Millions grapple with weight problems, but shedding pounds is never easy.

How sad it is to learn from Chris Walcock’s fiancée that he had received jibes about his weight, even though he was only around 12 stone. The remarks drove him to take extra-strong T5 fat burning tablets – with tragic consequences.

The tablets are available online for 25p each so they are accessible to all.

Lancashire Telegraph medical expert Dr Tom Smith describes how the drugs put the body into overdrive and can lead to a heart attack, which is what happened in this case.

Dr Tom points out we have known about their dangers for decades but they are still in existence.

The drugs have escaped any type of meaningful regulation, but now Darwen and Rossendale MP Jake Berry is to take the fight to the Commons to get something done.

We wish Mr Berry wel, but in the meantime people need to heed the words of Slimming World franchise holder Janet Brown who says there is no quick fix to weight problems.

Losing weight is not about drastic, and potentially dangerous measures. It’s about lifestyle choices incorporating healthy eating with exercise.