As Fern Britton shapes up for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, attention turns again to the amazing weight loss she has achieved with the Gastric Band.

New research shows the average woman lasts less than 3 weeks on a diet… so Bella asks “Are Diets Doomed from the start?”. Tina Malone, who has tried every diet going over the years, finally conceded that diets just don’t work for her. “I had to put my hand up and say ‘I need help’ and teh only thing that’s worked for me is having a gastric band fitted. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Julie Stansfield had been a councillor for 10 years and dreamed of becoming mayor. But at 17st and a size 22, she was worried that people would not take her seriously. How could she preach to school kids about healthy eating or open new hospital wards when she was in need of both herself. Although the mayor’s robes were massive, what if they didn’t fit or the gold chain would not go over her three chins?

Tina Malone shocked her 500 guests when she walked down the aisle in a stunning Kate Herford gown to marry her toyboy Paul Chase.

With Reveal columnist Vanessa Feltz confessing to having a gastric band, Reveal magazine takes a close look at how safe gastric bands are.

Following 2 gastric ops, Shameless actress Tina Malone has lost almost 7 stone – and gained a husband!
This week’s Closer magazine follows her story with some great photography!

Shameless star Tina Malone left guests in awe when she unveiled her dramatic four and a half stone weight loss as she married fitness instructor Paul Chase in Manchester at the weekend. One guest gushed “In her regal cream dress she literally looked half her age and looked tiny after losing all that weight, she really was the most beautiful bride.”

Fern’s former agent talks about career battles to cope with the latest competition of younger TV presenters.

Lisa had a gastric band fitted in 2009 and has lost 9 stone and shed a whopping 10 dress sizes. She now weighs a slim 10 st 10 and is a size 12.

When Liz Townsend needed a knee operation due to her 23 stone weight, she was devastated to learn that she was too overweight to have the operation and without it would be in a wheelchair within a year. She shared her story with Full House magazine readers.