Anne Diamond defends weight-loss op

Anne Diamond has defended her decision to have an operation to lose weight.

She has written an article on the subject to fend off what she sees as the "media furore" after her confession on Celebrity Fit Club that she used a gastric band.

"Just as there was after I appeared on Celebrity Big Brother three years ago, there's been the sniping, the moral judgments or fake compassion," the star wrote in the Daily Mail. "Is it any wonder that I decided to put a stop to the misery that is my weight problem and have surgery to help me finally shed the pounds?

"I've spent thousands and even written last letters to my four children in case I did not survive."

She attempted to explain her decision to go for surgery. "I've spent most of my 40s battling the bulge," she said. "I resolved not to spend another year struggling with my weight and, possibly, losing the battle again. I carefully researched the whole business of obesity surgery - interviewed other men and women who'd done it, found a nice clinic and an experienced surgeon, and went for it."