Well known actress Pauline Quirke showed off her new figure at the TV Choice Awards recently. Despite struggling with weight for many years she was determined to lose it and lose it she did – all of 7 stone.

Pauline told reporters that she used to avoid getting her photograph taken at events and even went as far as saying she felt embarrassed when attending drama award ceremonies.

As such, she decided to do something about it spurred on by her doctor who told her that she was severely obese.

Using the LighterLife weight-loss programme –a combination of a low-calorie diet and counselling sessions, Pauline managed to lose 7 stones bring her weight down to a healthy12 stone. She also dropped her dress size roughly in half from a size 28 to size 14 / 16.

Speaking with the Daily Mail, Pauline said: “I look at the fashion pages in magazines, too, which I’d never done before because I had no interest. Why would I? My size was so limiting to the amount of stuff I could buy.”

She added: “A few months ago, I went to the Soap Awards with the Emmerdale cast. They’re not my idea of a fun evening, but I was nominated for Best Newcomer.

“Anyway, I went and bought a dress at Monsoon, the first time I’ve been able to pick up a dress from a shop that isn’t targeted at larger women.

“Usually, I’d have got out of the car and run like the wind just to get into the building and avoid photographers because I hated having my picture taken. But that night I sauntered down the red carpet thinking, ‘Look at me’.”

Pauline Quirke is currently starring in the TV soap Emmerdale.