Pauline Quirke during an interview
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Triple whammy of health complaints that forced Pauline Quirke to lose eight stone in a year

Pauline dropped from 20 stone to 12 stone in the space of 12 months

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke was once forced to lose eight stone in a year.

The star’s dramatic weight loss came following a series of worrying health issues…

Pauline Quirke during an interview
Pauline lost a lot of weight (Credit: Channel 5)

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke on losing eight stone in a year

During an interview with The Yorkshire Post back in 2012, Pauline opened up about losing eight stone in the space of 12 months.

In 2011, Birds of a Feather star Pauline had been at 20 stone. However, a year on, she was at 12 stone.

“I remember trying on something that was a size 14 and it was too big. I thought I’d gone far enough. I never wanted to push this to the extreme. It was about being healthy and feeling well. I’d like to stay between 12 and 12 1/2 stone. Every week I’ll weigh myself just to keep an eye on it,” she said at the time.

Pauline Quirke on Loose Women
Pauline followed a controversial diet plan (Credit: ITV)

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke on weight loss

The star then went on to explain that a hip replacement, aching knee joints and a fall which broke her arm were catalysts for her losing weight.

“Steve [her husband and agent] knew I was upset about the hip. He could see me getting bigger and bigger. Professionally and personally I was very happy, but the hip was the beginning of it,” she said.

Feeling constantly tired, feeling unhealthy, and difficulty managing day-to-day events led to Pauline falling into an all-time low.

To lose weight, Pauline followed the controversial LighterLife diet, which saw her not eat normal food for eight months.

Pauline Quirke smiling
Pauline had counselling (Credit: The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts / YouTube)

Pauline’s controversial diet

The LighterLife diet saw normal meals substituted for low calorie packs of powder mixed with water.

Pauline didn’t eat a normal meal for eight months, however, she lost seven stone in that time.

The now 65-year-old actress was confident that she wouldn’t put the weight back on after counselling helped her change her attitude towards food.

She also added that she wouldn’t be having surgery to remove any loose skin left by her weight loss.

“I’m 52 – it was never going to all ping back. I won’t be doing bikini shoots in the near future but it’s not as bad as one would have imagined,” she said.

Read more: The truth behind the Birds of a Feather ‘feud’ rumours as Lesley Joseph addresses friendship with Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke

Birds of a Feather: 30 Years of Laughs airs on Channel 5 and My5 at 5pm on Saturday, July 13. 

From Essex to Edinburgh: Pauline Quirke inspires the next generation | 5 News

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Robert Emlyn Slater
Senior Writer