One year after her departure from EastEnders, Lorraine Stanley has opened up about an impressive personal journey: shedding seven stone amid fears for her health.

The 49-year-old actress, who was a familiar face as Karen Taylor on the beloved soap for seven years, shared that her family’s medical history heightened her concerns. With her father having passed away from a heart attack and her mother having undergone a heart bypass, Lorraine faced her own fears of potential heart issues.

Reflecting on her time on EastEnders, the actress noted that her weight gain was partly due to the financial comfort her role afforded her. “I believe I got ‘really big’ because of the paychecks I was receiving,” she confessed.

Since then, Lorraine has embarked on a transformative weight loss journey, assisted by a gastric sleeve procedure. Her remarkable progress is evident, as she confidently donned a thong bikini for the first time in two decades, proudly showcasing her new figure on Instagram.

In an interview with The Sun, she candidly remarked, “I went really big. I think I had too much money. It’s better not working because I haven’t got the money to eat out every day.”

Despite her newfound confidence and slimmer physique, Lorraine expressed some reservations about the surgery, acknowledging the drastic step of having 75-80% of her stomach removed. Nonetheless, she embraces her healthier lifestyle with a sense of pride.

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.