HE’S been in the newspapers, he’s been on the radio and he’s even been on TV — now Mario Frappola and his gut-busting 5,000 calorie breakfast are heading for the Guinness Book of World Records.

Bosses from Guinness World Records contacted the Italian chef after hearing about his “Ultimate Breakfast” in the press.

Now, after carrying out stringent checks, the famous record book is ready to declare Mario’s “Ultimate Breakfast” the biggest full English breakfast in the world.

Record breaker Mario said: “It’s brilliant — I wasn’t expecting it. This will really put us on the map.

“People will read about us all over the world.”

For just over £10, punters at Mario’s Cafe Bar in Market Street, Westhoughton, are served 10 eggs, 10 sausages, 10 rashers of bacon, 10 slices of toast, five black pudding slices, tomatoes, mushrooms and baked beans.

The meal contains twice the daily recommended amount of calories for an average male.

If customers finish the meal within 20 minutes they get it free of charge.

World record officials first contacted Mario two weeks ago to ask him if the stories about his breakfast were true.

They asked him for the exact details of the morning meal and even asked him to weigh each item individually.

He added: “They have made all their checks now and I even have a certificate to prove I am a record holder. I will be in the next edition at Christmas.”

Customers from across the country have already been making the pilgrimage to Mario’s to attempt to finish his big breakfast.

But the 52-year-old says he is yet to give anyone a free meal.

He said: “People have come from the North East, Birmingham, Scotland, all over. But no one has finished it yet.

“Soon, people all over the world will read about us. Maybe someone from another country will finish my breakfast.”

The British Heart Foundation has warned people that eating so much in one sitting is “not a good idea” so Mario asks customers who take on his challenge to sign a disclaimer taking responsibility for their own health.

Damian Field from Guinness World Records said: “I can confirm that the largest commercially available English breakfast weighs 2.893 kg (6 lb 6 oz) and is available for £10.95 on the menu at Mario's Cafe Bar, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, UK. This record was awarded on the June 2.”