Tributes pour in as bodybuilder Fred Chadwick passes away on holiday aged 66

Former bodybuilder and owner of FY Gym, Fred Chadwick suffered a seizure and stroke while on holiday in Calella, Spain, with his partner Kathleen Byrne.

Fred, whose marriage plans were put on hold during the pandemic, was celebrating his 12-year relationship with Kathleen.

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Fred passed away after suffering a seizure and stroke on holiday (Image: Fred Chadwick)

Despite having no underlying health issues, the 66-year-old was placed into an induced coma at Barcelona Hospital following his seizure.

After two weeks in the coma, the dad-of-two was flown back to the UK in an air ambulance to try and revive him closer to home.

However, doctors found that the brain damage he had suffered was too severe and he was pronounced dead on Saturday, October 1.

FY Gym on Forth Street (Image: FY Gym)

With a family heavily involved in fitness, Fred opened FY Gym on Forth Street in the 1980s.

Following in his father's bodybuilding footsteps, he became 'Mr Wigan' in 1984 and 'Mr Britain' at the 1988 English Federation of Body Building and Fitness Championships - where his sister also won a title.

Described as the "proudest moment of his life", Fred won the 80kg title at the same event where famous bodybuilder Dorian Yates took the title for 90kg and over.

Owning FY Gym for four decades, Fred went on to train hundreds of people across the community and was employed by Leigh Centurions as their weight coach in the 1990s.

He later discovered a love of golf and won the South Lancashire Golf League with Leigh Golf Club for four years in a row in the 2010s.

Fred was also an avid golf player (Image: Fred Chadwick)

Describing her partner, Kathleen said: "Fred was a very active, very warm character.

"Fitness was a big part of his life and he was always patient with people in the gym, no matter what they wanted to achieve.

"He was such a lovely man".

Fred and Kathleen (Image: Fred Chadwick)

After the news of Fred's passing was announced, Kathleen and the family have been inundated with tributes and messages of support.

His funeral will take place at Howe Bridge Crematorium on Monday, October 17 at 12pm, with all welcome.