AN esteemed 63-year-old university lecturer is living a double life as a champion bodybuilder - and has even named his beloved cat after his idol Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Richard Hooley, who trains in Swindon, takes the expression ‘practice what you preach’ to the extreme as he not only lectures about biochemistry, life science, dieting and sports science, he follows a strict regime to stay fit and healthy and competes in contests around the world.

But he admits his students are either impressed or taken aback.

“Most lecturers don’t get on stage posing in snake skin,” said Richard, who teaches at the University of Bath.

“It’s a fantastic job and a huge responsibility and they all know what I do.

"Some might find it very strange but with the guys looking for a lean muscular physique I try and educate them.”

The self-confessed petrol head, who also dabbles in renovating houses, got into bodybuilding six years ago, aged 57, and has always been involved in sports, in particular surfing and mountain running.

However, he never imagined that in his 60s he would be flexing his pecs and applying fake tan so dark it would even make David Dickinson wince.

“If someone had told me when I was 50 that I would be a world champion bodybuilder in my 60s I would never have believed it, or if people showed me the pictures – it’s a wonderful feeling,” he added.

“But bodybuilding is also a tough sport. The judges are looking to find fault with your physique and you are fully exposed, but you have to be big enough to take it.”

Just last week Richard won back the title he previously scooped in 2014 at the British Natural Bodybuilding (BNBF) 2016 British championships in Perth, Scotland.

The contest brings together the best amateur and professional natural bodybuilders in the UK each of whom qualified by winning or placing second in a regional championship.

“I was elated. I have spent a year getting in shape for the contest,” said Richard, who won the masters over 60 category.

“I placed second last year but won the year before that, so I thought what can I do to be the best in the competition? I wanted to shellshock the judges and make them think ‘Is that Richard?’”

Richard, who weighs just over 11 stone, has praised Pro Strength and Fitness in Swindon where he gets into shape.

He also draws inspiration from Swindon’s Laurence Shahlaei, winner of the 2016 Europe’s strongest man competition, who trains at the same gym.

When he is bodybuilding, Richard consumes around 5,000 calories a day but as a treat his guilty pleasure is a good curry.

But before he evens considers tucking into a korma, it’s straight back onto the contest diet and at the end of October he will travel to Miami to defend his 2015 Drug Free Athletes Coalition (DFAC) world title.

“At the moment I can’t imagine not doing bodybuilding,” he said.

“I love the sport and lifestyle so much and being part of this at my age is absolutely fantastic.”

Richard is a natural bodybuilder where competitors achieve a lean and muscular physique without the risks associated with taking banned substances.

He has a Facebook page dedicated to his bodybuilding journey and is keen to get the message out that the key to being healthy and fit is having a consistent approach and a good understanding of food, rather than taking steroids as a quick fix.

He added: “If at 63 I have this body so can 19 and 20-year-olds. They first have to think about diet and nutrition and exercising properly.”

To find out more about Richard go to his Facebook page: facebook.com/richardhooleynaturalbodybuilder