Denise: I’ll enjoy a merry ex-mas
Star’s Christmas with former hubby and his new wife
She says it’s the best decision she’s ever made. “I don’t want to sound ‘bah humbug’ but Christmas in years past has not been my favourite time,” the former Corrie actress says. “It was awful when I was drinking. Alcohol made me and my family miserable.
“Since being sober I’ve enjoyed it so much more.”
Going teetotal led to her binge eating. She put on two stone and went up to 11st 5lb. But she beat her cravings and lost the weight for her wedding to Lincoln in 2013 through the 5:2 Lighterlife Fast diet and cognitive behavioural therapy .
The actress, now at 9st 10lb, says: “People think I must never have pizzas or fish and chips, but I’m a northerner and couldn’t survive without them.
“So I make informed decisions when to have them. I still do the diet a couple of days a week, but I have maintained my weight.”
Despite heading towards her 60th next May,
Tim married Joan in 2015 Denise with hubby Lincoln Denise – who’s been in LA auditioning for a major US show – says she has a new confidence about her body. “I feel physically and mentally better than I did in my 40th or 50th year,” she says. And she’s not ashamed to post bikini snaps on social media.
She says: “I do it because I believe you should be able to show off your body whatever age. If I feel confident in a bikini at nearly 60, I will show I am.
“If people say “look at her size”, well f*** them because I don’t think I look bad for an old bird.” Now she has a Denise will have one day off from Jack and the Beanstalk “ruthless” personal trainer and is hoping to celebrate her big birthday with a six-pack. Denise says: “Whether I achieve it, who knows. If not, I’ll have it professionally painted on.” She insists she won’t be throwing a party. “I feel lucky to be celebrating it as I’ve already lost people younger than me,” she says. “I don’t want a party because all I will do is to pay thousands for my friends to get totally p **** d and then I’ll want to leave.” features@sundaymirror.co.uk Visit lighterlife.com
DENISE ON CHRISTMAS DAY WITH EX AND HUBBY