31 January 2024 , 18:40
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Best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders, Charlie Brooks has brought viewers some of the most iconic soap moments of all time, but away from the drama of Albert Square, she's had to deal with a devastating body confidence battle.
In 2005, the mum-of-one released a very well-received fitness DVD, Before & After, which spilled the secrets of how exactly she managed to lose two stone in two months.
Hertfordshire-born Charlie, now 42, couldn't have looked more confident on the hot pink DVD cover as she inspired others to follow in her footsteps - but it was a very different story behind the scenes.
The DVD rocked Charlie's confidence
She decided to make some positive changes as she approached her 40th birthday (Getty Images)Opening up candidly during a 2020 interview with Fabulous magazine, Charlie admitted with her bestselling DVD played havoc with her self-esteem.
Charlie explained: "Years ago, I released a keep-fit video and got really tiny – that had a long-term negative impact on my body image." Charlie admitted that she brutally deemed herself to be a 'disgusting, fat b****', feeling 'nothing but hatred' for herself.
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She shared: "I've also had a difficult relationship with my body, to the point where I couldn't walk past a mirror without mentally beating myself up." As she approached her 40th birthday, Charlie knew she had to make a change, after finding herself 'at breaking point'.
Keen to learn to finally love herself, Charlie ditched alcohol in 2020 and also pursued some exciting ventures beyond her comfort zone. The soap star launched her iampro online mentoring and adult acting school with her brother Ben and sister-in-law Emma, keen to offer an alternative route into a competitive industry, and has also explored the field of sexual wellness by creating and launching her very own vibrator.
Charlie has since seen her confidence soar exponentially, and she now has a much better relationship with her body. She revealed: "I've learned to be kinder to myself, too. My body isn't perfect, but it's birthed a baby and that's a beautiful thing."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .
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