Instagram's 85-year-old adorable new star and his weight loss journey

An 85-year-old pensioner who has been documenting his weight loss journey has become an unlikely Instagram star after a woman gave him a shout-out on Twitter - calling his feed the 'cutest thing I've ever seen'. David Clarkson, from Lancashire, launched his page on September 26 explaining that two stone of weight he'd already lost had' crept back' on and he wanted to lose it again.

With some encouragement from his daughters, the 85-year-old decided to keep track, and thanks to a shout out from a Twitter user who spotted his page, he's amassed more than 40,000 followers overnight.

A woman named Natasha Rodgers posted a picture of David's page on Twitter explaining: 'Stumbled on this 85 yr old man's Insta where he posts his slimming world journey and it might be the cutest thing I've ever seen[sic].'

Realizing his newfound viral fame David posted a thank you, saying he'd told all his friends at his Slimming World group the news, and adding: 'I am blown away by all the positivity and such kind words, thank you all so much.'

David shared his first page back in September with a short comment: 'Hello! I’m David, I have been a member of Slimming World for a good few years but after initially losing 2 stone, I have since crept back up to my start weight. My daughters suggested that I start this account after one of them posted a picture of me on her own Slimming World account which received a lot of likes and positive feedback. I think starting this account will give me the encouragement I need to reach my target. Thanks for stopping by.'