And as Andy Goodwin finds out, he’s handled his fair share of cars too.

“On the way home one night with four other guys from the weightlifting club the car went off the road, through a hedge and landed upside down,” says Geoff Capes.

“We got out, brushed ourselves off and turned the car back onto its wheels.”

“Then we picked it up and carried it back onto the road, pulling out the dents in the wheelarches.”

Geoff laughs as he recalls the story, which would be unbelievable if it weren’t for his strongman credentials.

View our Geoff Capes slide show

During his long and prosperous athletic career he set the British and Commonwealth shot-putt record which stood for an incredible 23 years - with a throw of 71ft 31/2in.

He has appeared on the cult kids television programme ‘Supergran’, was the face of Cadbury Wispa’s relaunch and he has even starred in his own computer game - ‘Geoff Capes Strongman’ released on Amstrad, ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 in 1985.

B.F.G – Bird Friendly Geoff

But the 6ft 5” heavyweight – who weighed 23 stone during his peak – does have a gentle side, as his love of Budgerigar breeding shows.

He’s reared prize winning Recessive Pied Budgerigars and he’s recently assumed the role of president of the Budgerigar Society.

He also has a very active role in athletics and heads up the Linconshire Throws Academy, which hopes to find the next county’s Olympic hopeful.

Just a few weeks ago Geoff received a cheque on behalf of the Throws Academy for £4,000 from the Crystal Motor Group.

“The Linconshire Sports Partnership has already identified several people who they think could be potential Olympians and I’m looking forward to seeing what they are capable of,” says Geoff.

“The Olympics are coming home!”

He Ain’t Heavy...

But Geoff’s incredible strength meant he sometimes had to break the rules...

During the early 1980s he worked on a Volkswagen Golf advert.

“I was told to pick the Golf up and have a look under it. I broke ten of them before they got the footage they wanted.”

So, what does the man famed for bending steel bars like to drive now, and what was his first car?

Love Machine

“My first car was a 1948 Morris Minor 850 Van I bought for £15 and hand painted blue – it was the ‘Love Machine’.

“Now I drive a Land Rover Discovery because I like cars with lots of space and I often go off-road at festivals and take lots of equipment around with me.

“Dream cars are mainly American made, the Pontiac Trans Am is great and I love big American SUVs.”

And, with enough strength to rip London phonebooks clean in half, has Geoff ever damaged a car by mistake?

“I’ve broken a few gear sticks.”

View our Geoff Capes slide show