Paper Monitor
10:41 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2013
A service highlighting the riches of the daily press.
The Sun's motto in its 80s heyday was "shock and amaze on every page".
The paper has a calmer feel now. But that mix of weird human interest, celebrity picture stories and strident patriotism is back today.
There's a letter addressed to President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner headlined "Las Manos Quietas!" or hands off (the Falklands). And an annotated picture sequence of Roberto Mancini and Mario Ballotelli engaging in handbags at dawn.
But it's the front page splash that really takes you back to the paper's glory days.
"I've lost 46st". Yes, that's 46 stone. .
It's the picture that really grabs the attention. This is the story of Paul Mason, an ex-postman from Ipswich, who once weighed 70 stone but is now down to a mere 24 after a gastric bypass operation. Paul is pictured with his fist tentatively held in the air by way of victory pose. He is wearing a shapeless top that is far too big for him now.
Turn inside and the pics are even more hypnotic. There's a naked one, reminiscent of Lucien Freud's.
The richness is in the detail.
For instance, lunch used to be four portions of fish and chips, two kebabs and a roast dinner. Now it's just a "small portion of spaghetti bolognese".
It's easy to make light of his condition but the compulsive eating had serious consequences. "Firefighters removed the front wall of his house and used a forklift to plant him in an ambulance when he needed a hernia operation while weighing 56st in 2002."
He's come a long way since then. He's able to walk now rather than use an electric wheelchair. He is starting to live a more normal life - walking the dog, going to the cinema and, erm, eating at a Harvester - he had roast chicken "with about five chips".
What started out as a tabloid shocker ends up as an inspiring makeover narrative. It could almost be a movie. As the screen fades with our slimmed-down hero walking into the sunset, the last par brings a collective "ahhhh" from the audience.
"Once I get rid of the spare skin I also hope to be able to go swimming and cycling and join a gym - and find a girlfriend." Credits roll.
The 
