Mr Universe bodybuilder Shaun Davis dies at 57 as devastated pals speak out
Former Mr Universe bodybuilder Shaun Davis has died at the age of 57.
Shaun, who won a string of titles including Mr Britain and Mr Europe before he was awarded the Mr Universe crown in 1996, suffered with kidney problems over the years. He was forced to end his career early due to his health woes. Shaun used to receive dialysis three times a week before undergoing a kidney transplant in 2009. He had waited three years for the operation.
However, his cause of death has not been confirmed. He is survived by his partner Helen Burrows and their daughter Harley. Devastated friends took to social media to pay tribute to Shaun, nicknamed Dinosaur, as one wrote 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."
Councillor Richard McRae was among those paying tribute - and thanked Shaun for putting Long Eaton, in Derbyshire, on the map. The Stapleford councillor wrote online: "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."
As well as being a champion bodybuilder, Shaun had become an outspoken supporter of organ donating after he received his own kidney transplant. He received the organ from a donor after being on a waiting list for three years.
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Generation Iron reports: "Davis was on the kidney transplant list for three years before undergoing the operation. Following his recovery, Shaun Davis became an advocate for organ donation and worked to help get more people to register as organ donors."
And Shaun himself opened up about the impact the kidney donation had on his family - telling the BBC how his heart was broken when his young daughter wrote to Santa to ask for a new organ for him. He told the corporation: "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."
He added: "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."
Fans reacted to the sad news to share their shock and send condolences to the bodybuilder's family. One wrote on X/Twitter: "Very sad sending my condolences when we met him he was Super nice guy." And another fan typed: "He was an absolute top bloke, A proper gentle giant. He used to have the time of day for everyone. Loved his football on a Sunday afternoon with the lads in the local! Going to be sorely missed by a lot of people!!"
Another added: "Sad news this morning coming out of Long Eaton today. Shaun Davis, the man who put the town on the map has passed away. Can remember the times he was bouncer on Credo’s & Blitz Bar, letting me in when they was full & the Sunday afternoon beers on the high street!! RIP mate."
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