Express & Star

Slimmer meets Dancing on Ice star

A slimmer from the Black Country met a Dancing on Ice star after dropping nearly five stone.

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Jake Quickenden and Rachel Darlaston

Rachel Darlaston, from Kingswinford, was congratulated by Jake Quickenden after dropping from 15st 12lbs to 11st 3lbs – a total of 4st 9lbs.

The X Factor star was a special guest for the semi-finals of a national competition at Slimming World's head office in Derbyshire.

Rachel, aged 23, was nominated for the Woman of the Year 2019 by members of a group in Amblecote.

She said: “Before I found Slimming World everything just felt like such a struggle.

"I felt uncomfortable all the time and would get out of breath doing the most simple jobs.

"I was diagnosed with type two diabetes at the age of 20 and I had resigned myself to being the size I was forever because having so much weight to lose just felt like a huge battle.

“At the start of my journey if you told me I would be representing my group at the semi-finals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year competition I would have laughed at the thought.

“As the numbers dropped on the scales each week and my confidence increased I started to think about how active I was so I started playing netball again and I joined a gym. I recently completed the 5k Race for Life at Himley Hall in just over 24 minutes.

"Slimming World has completely changed my life.”

Jake, who won the ice skating competition last year, said: “I think Rachel looks incredible, to turn her life around like she has is amazing.

"She seems so full of confidence now and it’s hard to believe that she ever had an issue with her weight.

"It’s a reminder that with support and commitment you can do anything you set your mind to."

Rachel reached the semi-finals but did not progress to the next round.

The overall winner will be announced next month.

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