Tuesday, 17 November 2009

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Steps' Claire Richards: Help me, I can't stop eating

The diet queen's weight has spiralled out of control again!

Claire Richards has gained over 3st

After shedding 6st in a year and boasting a bestselling fitness DVD, it seems poor Claire Richards has slipped back to her old eating habits during her second pregnancy.

The former Steps singer famously ballooned from 8st 7lb to 16st 7lb in five years, following the band's split in 2002 and then the birth of her son Charlie, now aged three.

Claire, 32, admitted that her weight had spiralled when she gorged on cream buns and curries after becoming a mum.

Then she became determined to do something about it - and her 2008 wedding to record executive Reece Hill, 40, gave her the incentive to finally shed the excess pounds.

She showed off her new toned size 10 body on our cover in January, inspiring thousands.

However, now eight months pregnant, the star tells Now she's let her discipline slip and is struggling.

‘I'm so excited about meeting my new baby and, of course, I knew I'd need to put on some weight to have a healthy pregnancy,' she says.

‘But I'm so annoyed that I've let it go this far. I've gained more than 3st already and I've lost control of my cravings. I can't stop eating.'

Claire's frustration stems from her adamant vow, after announcing her second pregnancy, that she wouldn't allow herself to overeat again. But her willpower's proved elusive.

Experts recommend that pregnant women need no more than 200 extra calories a day, but Claire's love of fattening snacks means she'll be facing an even bigger battle to reclaim her sexy shape.

See the latest pictures of Claire Richards in Now magazine dated 23 November 2009 - out now!