Austin's appearances in the press and on television were usually related to current concerns about an alarming increase in obesity among the population. He had thus been asked to comment on news and current affairs strands such as the BBC's Breakfast News. Austin was also the star of a Sky One documentary, "Inside Britain's Fattest Man", presented by fellow Silhillian Richard Hammond in the manner of the science fiction film "Fantastic Voyage". According to the programme, Austin typically consumed in excess of 29,000 calories a day – over ten times the average daily intake for a UK male, and had major health problems as a result of his morbid obesity. He also claimed to drink up to 40 pints on a night out. A previous documentary on Britain's heaviest men – "The Fattest Men in Britain" – which saw Austin take the crown, though he was notably lighter and more mobile at the time, reported that he led an actively social life and was something of a celebrity on the Birmingham club circuit, and a very visible supporter of Birmingham City F.C. at their home games. However, he was unable to attend their victorious Wembley Stadium appearance on 27 February 2011, when they lifted the Football League Cup with a 2–1 win over Arsenal in the final as he was too big to get a seat. By this stage he weighed 40 stone.