Steps star loses six stone in a year

Claire Richards has revealed that she lost six stone over a period of 12 months.

The former Steps singer doubled her body weight to more than 16 stone after the group, known for their energetic dance routines, broke up in 2001.

"I looked like I was wearing a fat suit. I can't believe that was me. It's like a bad dream. But it did happen. I never want to go back to that size again," she told The Mirror.

"Two years after the band ended I decided to take a break from showbusiness. I went from being on my feet all day to sitting on the sofa. It was also the first time I'd been able to eat what I wanted and stuff the consequences. I hadn't learned how to control myself."

Richards confessed that her weight became a factor in her split from husband Mark Webb in 2005, but managed to shift the excess pounds before she wed record executive Reece Hill last year.

"There was no way I was going to be a fat bride. I knew that if I was fat in our wedding pictures I'd never want to look at them," she said. "I'm more secure now. I've still got a pair of size 20 jeans which I keep in my kitchen near the fridge, and that's where they're staying!"