Ripped and Romantic! Devon's Natural Mr Universe Champ Storms Book Charts Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

In late 2025, Devon’s Natural Mr Universe Champion Ed Akay released his debut biography From Darkness, written by Jason Reading, which stormed the Amazon bestseller charts in two categories. Riding that success, Akay continued his literary journey with A Legacy of Serenades, an intimate and emotionally charged poetry collection originally written as a private gift for his wife, Helen.

Spanning more than eleven years, the collection brings together poems first crafted to mark life’s most meaningful moments, now curated into a single volume. Upon its release in January 2026, A Legacy of Serenades became an Amazon bestseller, ranking #8 in British & Irish Poetry, #10 in Love Poems, and #15 in Poetry Anthologies.

The book’s striking cover was shot in Torbay by Scott Williams Photography, a top Westcountry photographer based in Paignton. Scott first photographed Ed and Helen for international magazines, and when the images proved a hit with publishers worldwide, it was only natural that one powerful shot made its way onto the book cover.

2026 marks a bold expansion of Akay’s creative footprint with the launch of his own PR company and publishing house, Midas Touch, alongside his move into acting with a role in the socially conscious film series Over & Over &, which is filmed in Devon.

A Legacy of Serenades is available now on Amazon in Kindle and hardback formats.