To cut a long story short I lost 8st

A WOMAN who was left horrified by photos of herself at more than 17 stone meeting her idol shed half her weight... before meeting him again.

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

Tracy Lindsay ballooned to a dress size 24 after she switched from an active job as a prison officer to a desk job at a care company.

The weight put strain on her spine and knees, leaving her walking on crutches and facing a double knee replacement, which has required her to reduce her body mass index to below 40.

Tracy, 51, hid herself away at weekends gorging on unhealthy snacks and sweet treats. But when she saw snaps of herself with ex-Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley at Edinburgh's Usher Hall she decided in September 2023 to join Slimming World, which focuses on healthy eating and group support.