Top slimmers rub shoulderswith star Jason Donovan

Slimming World Consultants meet former soap star and singer Jason Donovan: Chantel Fairhurst, Angy Smith, Janet Hutchinson, Mandy Ferneyhough

The team was delighted to get a chance to cuddle up to the Australian heartthrob, when he swapped Ramsay Street for the annual Slimming World Awards.

He co-hosted the event with the organisation’s chairman and founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell.

Janet Hutchinson, who runs a Slimming World group at St David’s Church Hall, Larkholme, Fleetwood, said meeting Jason was a wonderful way to round off a fabulous year for Slimming World, as well as a great way to get ready for another successful 12 months.

She said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the members of the Larkholme group. They’ve lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2015, with many of them making their weight loss dreams come true by hitting their target weight, improving their health and more. It’s so rewarding to see people being able to do things they didn’t think possible before losing weight, whether that’s wearing smaller clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or being able to do more with their family and friends.

“Every week I feel so lucky to play even a small part in people’s achievements and I felt very honoured to represent the Larkholme Slimming World group when I met Jason. Now I feel incredibly motivated and I can’t wait to support more people in Fleetwood to lead healthier, happier lives in 2016.”

Jason, who found fame on Aussie soap opera Neighbours, before launching a pop music and stage career, said he was thrilled to meet the team at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.

He added: “I’ve been in the business for some time now and I like to think I have improved with age and experience.

“It certainly sounds like Slimming World’s only going from strength-to-strength too, and as they enter their 47th year of helping people to lose weight they’re better placed than ever before to help people to lead healthier lives.

“At the awards, I met lots of people who’ve lost incredible amounts of weight and it has completely changed their lives – in fact, it’s saved their lives in some cases.

“And every single one of them told me they couldn’t have made the changes they have to eat more healthily and become more active without the help and support of their Slimming World group and their consultant, so people like Janet and the team are clearly very important.”