A woman who barely left her house in 20 years has won the Slimmer of the Year award after losing half her body weight.
Gill Butcher, from Wootton, Northampton, was so embarrassed by her 21-stone frame that she became a recluse.
The 46-year-old, who used to be a size 26, has shed 10 stone to be named the Rosemary Conley Slimmer of the Year.
Mrs Butcher, who is now a size 12 and training to be a fitness instructor, said: "I would never go for meals or to parties because I always felt too big. I wanted to disappear into the background.
"I'm so much happier now, I'm doing a 26-mile marathon and training to be an instructor, which is fantastic considering I was once too nervous to attend a class."
Rosemary Conley presented her with the award and a £2,000 cheque at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall.
The diet and fitness expert said: "Gill was so lacking in confidence she wouldn't even talk to me but now she has transformed her life. I feel very proud that my diet has made such a big difference."
Farmer Alan Guest, from Kidderminster, was named Male Slimmer of the Year at the ceremony, after losing nine stone.
The 45-year-old tipped the scales at 22st 7lb when he had a heart scare. He also wanted to lose weight in time for his silver wedding anniversary.
"I wanted to get back to the way I was when we got married and I actually weigh three-and-a-half stone less than I did on my wedding day. My wife thinks it's fantastic, she loves it," he said.
