Former Mr Universe bodybuilder Shaun Davis dies aged 57
Bodybuilder Shaun Davis, who won a string of titles including Mr Britain and Mr Europe before being named Mr Universe in 1996, has died aged 57.
Nicknamed ‘Dinosaur’, Davis was forced to end his bodybuilding career early due to kidney problems.
After receiving a kidney transplant in 2009, ending a three-year wait, he became an advocate for organ donation and encouraged people to sign up to be donors.
Davis became a hero in his hometown of Long Eaton in Derbyshire following his success, with one local councillor crediting him with putting the place on the map.
He is survived by his partner Helen Burrows and their daughter Harley.
His friend Kuldeep Bhardwaj posted on Facebook: ‘Rest in Peace my friend you was a true inspiration right from the day I met you at school, through your amazing bodybuilding years and after.
‘Your smile and laughter will be missed.’
After his kidney transplant operation, Davis spoke to the BBC about the toll his long wait had taken on his family.
He said his daughter had written a letter to Santa, adding: ‘That broke me to tears because she’s been praying for a kidney for her daddy and she asked for one last Christmas and it didn’t come.’
Davis continued: ‘It really hammers it home, since the transplant, that more and more people are desperate for kidneys and there are people out there who are dying waiting for kidneys.’
Reacting to his death, Stapleford councillor Richard McRae said: ‘RIP Shaun Davis, a very well-known and respected gentleman who most definitely put Long Eaton on the map.
‘Shaun was Mr Universe in 1996. He was also Mr. UK, Mr. Britain, Mr. Europe and Mr. Pro Universe.’
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