Marking a year since her exit from EastEnders, Lorraine Stanley has unveiled a remarkable weight loss of seven stone, driven by her fears for her health.
At 49, the actress, known for her role as Karen Taylor on the popular soap for seven years, confessed her worries about a potential heart attack, a concern rooted in her family history with her father’s fatal heart attack and her mother’s heart bypass surgery.
Stanley attributes her significant weight gain during her time on EastEnders to her earnings, which allowed for indulgences.
Her journey to shedding the excess weight involved undergoing a gastric sleeve procedure, and she proudly showcased her stunning transformation by donning a thong bikini for the first time in two decades, sharing the moment with her Instagram followers.
In a conversation with The Sun, she remarked, “I really ballooned. I think having too much money was the issue. It’s better now that I’m not working, as I can’t afford to dine out every day.”
While she appreciates her slimmer physique, Lorraine acknowledged some regrets about opting for surgery, which involved removing 75-80 percent of her stomach.
A year on since being written out of EastEnders, Lorraine Stanley has revealed she has lost an impressive seven stone after fearing for her life
The actress admitted she was ‘scared of having a heart attack’ as her dad died of one and her mum has had a heart bypass
She said: ‘I think, in hindsight, I wish I had just done it with diet and exercise, because ultimately, any time I’m not in a happy place, I could just start eating and I could put it back on. So I’ve had to change my whole mindset.’
As weight-loss jabs have become more popular in the UK, Lorraine revealed she did try Wegovy, which existed before the likes of Mounjaro, but they didn’t work for her.
The BBC star explained that she lost two stone on the jabs but she soon put the weight ‘straight back on’ as soon as she stopped.
Despite taking drastic measures with a gastric sleeve, Lorraine said she is still in fear that her stomach can restretch and she can load the weight back on.
But the actress is enjoying being able to chase after her little girl without getting out of breath and revealed she has even worn a thong bikini after marrying her boyfriend of 12 years Mark Perez.
She added: ‘I’ve got a thong bikini that I wore on my honeymoon, and honestly, it felt great. I’m usually covering up, and really self-conscious, but no, I’m strutting about the place like I’m Madonna.’
Previously speaking about the procedure, Lorraine told New magazine said: ‘I went to a London clinic, paid an awful lot of money and had it done.
‘It’s hands-down the best thing I’ve ever done – both for me and for my family.’
Lorraine has since shedded the pounds after getting a gastric sleeve and has proudly showed off her incredible transformation as she slipped into a bikini for the first time in 20 years
The mother-of-one said she believes she got ‘really big’ while on EastEnders due to the paychecks, she said: ‘I went really big. I think I had too much money. It’s better not working’
In July Lorraine revealed to fans she had given up booze as part of her health journey.
She said on social media: ‘I’m five months sober and still had a good night dancing! #Sobriety.’
Lorraine has been on a lifestyle overhaul since she left EastEnders for good two years ago after her character was written out by bosses.
She recalled how she watched back an episode of the BBC soap and ‘could barely look at myself’.
In August Lorraine tied the knot with her long-term partner at a picturesque country ceremony in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Lorraine looked sensational in a white ruffled gown as she showed off her slimmer physique.
Her dress boasted a boat neck and chic polka dot print which she teamed with a traditional veil and pearl jewellery, as she said ‘I do’.
Although she loves her skim figure, Lorraine admitted she does have regrets going under the knife to remove 75-80% of her stomach
She said: ‘I think, in hindsight, I wish I had just done it with diet and exercise, because ultimately, any time I’m not in a happy place, I could just start eating and I could put it back on’
Groom Mark, who has been in a relationship with Lorraine for 12 years, could not wipe the smile off his face, looking dapper in a green three-piece suit paired with a crisp white shirt and gold tie.
Meanwhile their daughter Nancy, ten, looked lovely as their flower girl in a pale pink princess dress with flowers in her hair.
The sun-soaked nuptials were attended by family and friends as well as Lorraine’s former on-screen son Danny Walters, who played Keanu before being killed off as part of an explosive Christmas storyline last year.
