‘Having an hourglass shape made me lazy’

Serves 1

transformed her figure.

She says, “I’ve never had abs and I’ve always got a belly, but my waist has gone in and my legs are thinner. I can walk around confidently in shorts because my thighs have shrunk. I even had cellulite on my calves – it was gross – but it’s gone now.”

SUFFERING HEARTBREAK

While she’s famed for her impressive curves, Kelly admits her weight did plummet after her beloved dad, former scaffolder Kenneth, passed away in November 2007 aged 57, following a battle with cancer. Just five months later, she split with her fiancé, Hollywood actor Billy Zane – and says the combined stress took its toll.

She candidly explains, “I’ve always been considered curvy, but I remember being a tiny size 4-6. It was around the time of Strictly, and I was at my lowest. I lost so much weight, and my face was drawn in. I’d lost my dad and I had to leave Strictly because it was too difficult to carry on, then I’d broken up with my fiancé, too. I was so sad and the skinniest I’d ever been. That doesn’t mean I was healthy though, I was a frail wreck. I love my curves too much to be that skinny again.” And after spending last summer “hiding behind Jeremy”, Kelly now can’t wait to flaunt her new figure in a bikini. She smiles, recalling the memory, “Last year I’d be shouting, ‘Jeremy, there’s a pap!’ and have him walk me out of the water. I’d love to lose a little bit more and be a size 10-12, but I’m taking my time – I’m in no rush!”

150g mascarpone 50g vegetarian hard cheese, finely grated Salt and pepper 6 lasagne sheets 4tbsp milk Green salad, a few basil leaves, to serve

To make it vegan:

Replace with free-from lasagne sheets, vegan Cheddar and vegan mascarpone and soya cream.