SEXY soap star Michelle Keegan met one of Ellesmere Port’s most successful slimmers when she swapped the Coronation Street cobbles for a national slimming competition.
Ray Lenton lost an amazing 4st 8lbs which led him to reach the semi-finals of Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2009.
His efforts amazed Michelle, who was named Sexiest Female at the British Soap Awards 2009 and Best Newcomer in 2008, when she attended the event in Derbyshire.
The 22-year-old, who plays Tina McIntyre in the hit ITV soap, said: “I am stunned by what Ray has achieved. He looks so fit and healthy that I can’t believe he was ever 4st 8lbs heavier.
“One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet so many inspirational people and Ray is one of them – the way that he’s changed his life is really amazing.”
Ray attends the Ellesmere Port Slimming World group every Thursday at 6pm in the EPIC.
He said: “I was thrilled to be Ellesmere Port’s Man of the Year and to represent my Slimming World group, who have all supported me on my weight loss journey.
“Losing weight really has transformed my life and meeting Michelle Keegan was an extra bonus – she was really impressed with my weight loss.
“I hope it shows other men in Ellesmere Port who want to lose weight that it is achievable – if I can do it anyone can.”
Slimming World Consultant Lisa McGowan, who runs the Ellesmere Port group, said: “I’m so proud of Ray. He’s a great advocate for Slimming World.
“Men are often worried about walking into a Slimming World group because they see slimming clubs and dieting as ‘women-only zones’ but Ray’s proved that’s not true.”
