BOLTON’S well-known “Father of Fitness” Ken Heathcote will reveal his health secrets at an event this month at Bolton School Arts Centre.

Mr Heathcote, now 82, takes part in “An Audience with Ken Heathcote”, organised by Bolton School Girls’ Division Parents Association, on Wednesday, May 16 at 7.15pm. He will be interviewed by Bolton News’ columnist and award-winning journalist Angela Kelly.

Mr Heathcote, who lives in Bradshaw, earned his nickname when he and business partner Bill Stevenson opened Bolton Health Studio in 1968 behind Joe’s Lost Property Shop on Bank Street in the town centre. This was the first gym as we know it today and created a blueprint for the UK fitness industry to follow.

He laid down fitness training standards, co-founding the Fitness Industry Association and pioneering training in amateur bodybuilding. He was also a judge for the Mr Universe contests when one regular contestant was Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He enjoyed a high national profile, appearing on TV at 46 when he became “Multi Marathon Man” attempting to run from John o’ Groats to Lands End to raise more than £30,000 for cancer research.

Mr Heathcote has enjoyed a lifetime of fitness himself and last year took part in three open water swimming events within eight weeks including the Great North Swim covering 3.1 miles of Lake Windermere. He will be taking part again this year on May 11.

He has written several books – his latest, titled “We’re Going To Live Forever” on the subject of ageing and keeping well, was launched last year.

“I’m really looking forward to the Bolton School event,” he stated. “I’m still passionate about health and keeping as well as possible for as long as possible.”

Tickets for the event are £5 each, £15 for a family ticket (two parents and two children) by emailing bsgdpa@gmail.com

Caption: LIVING WELL – Ken Heathcote with the book he launched last year