A WEIGHTLOSS manager from Prestwich is feeling ready to make any weightloss dream come true after meeting legendary soap actor and popstar Jason Donovan.

Di Tierney, who manages Slimming World groups in Prestwich, was delighted to get a chance to cuddle up to the Australian heartthrob when he swapped Ramsay Street for the annual Slimming World Awards. He co-hosted the event with the organisation’s chair and founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.

Di said meeting Jason was a wonderful way to round off a fabulous year for Slimming World, as well as a great way to get ready for another successful 12 months.

She said: “It’s so rewarding to see people being able to do things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight, whether that’s wearing smaller clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or being able to do more with their family and friends. 

"Every week I feel so lucky to play even a small part in people’s achievements and I felt very honoured to represent all of the Slimming World groups in Prestwich when I met Jason. Now I feel incredibly motivated and I can’t wait to support more people to lead healthier, happier lives in 2016.”

Jason, who found fame on Aussie soap opera Neighbours before launching a pop music and stage career, said he was thrilled to meet Di at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.

He added: “I’ve been in the business for some time now and I like to think that I have improved with age and experience. It certainly sounds like Slimming World’s only going from strength to strength too, and as they enter their 47th year of helping people to lose weight they’re better placed than ever before to help people to lead healthier lives.

“At the awards I met lots of people who’ve lost incredible amounts of weight and it has completely changed their lives — in fact, it’s saved their lives in some cases. And every single one of them told me that they couldn’t have made the changes they have to eat more healthily and become more active without the help and support of their Slimming World group, so people like Di who run and manage the groups are clearly very important.”

Di says 2015 has been a big year for Slimming World, with the organisation welcoming hundreds of thousands of members and launching its first-ever food range, and hopes 2016 will be just as successful.

“Lots of people will be making resolutions to lose weight and improve their health this New Year. I truly believe that joining their local Slimming World group is the best way for people to lose weight and learn new habits. Thanks to our famous Food Optimising eating plan they’ll see big results on the scales without ever having to feel hungry or deprived, and in our groups they will discover a whole world of support and advice that’s sure to help them reach their targets.

“What I love is that while our members lose weight, they also grow in confidence and happiness — we joke the only thing that gets bigger at our groups is our smiles! 

"We have had a lot of fun together in 2015 and I cannot wait to see what 2016 holds. 

"I would love anyone who is thinking about losing weight this January to join us.”