I know what it's like to be plus size. I was 21 stone up until the age of 19. I also know what it's like to lose a lot of weight, I've lost about nine stone in as many years. So when I saw this picture of Dawn French today, at the Galaxy National Book Awards, I was shocked and not in the least bit surprised all in one weird mix of emotion.
It's obvious isn't it? We've seen it all before, in our private lives and in the press. Bigger women who are cheated on or divorced or in a career-going-nowhere dilemma or, rather sadly, go through a tragedy of some kind re-invent themselves into thinner, gorgeous versions of themselves. Not that there's anything wrong with being plus size. If you're happy, that is ALL that matters.
Dawn French obviously wasn't. After her and Lenny Henry's split last year (did he/didn't he cheat??), she entered the 'weight loss' cocoon and has come out as a bloody blooming svelte version of her self.
Jennifer Hudson has done the same recently, Pauline Quirke is literally half the woman she used to be, Sophie Dahl did it, Michelle McManus did it (remember her?). Unfortunately Claire from Steps went the other way, but that's fine too.
Dawn, we love you fat or thin. Either way you're one of the smartest, funniest comedians around!
