Michelle McManus continued to display the results of a major body transformation as she relaxed on a sun-soaked girls' trip, posting photos of herself in a colourful bikini and flowing kaftan.
The 45-year-old singer, who last year revealed she had lost 9st (about 126 pounds), was pictured shielding her eyes with sunglasses, sipping an Aperol spritz and taking a cooling dip in a pool before joining friends for an alfresco dinner. She captioned the images "So much fun in the sun." McManus has previously spoken publicly about her battles with weight and her journey to sobriety.
On Instagram, McManus has detailed the approach behind her weight loss and credited professional support for helping her change habits. She told followers that the loss came over a period of 17 months and said the key was "the right support," adding that a friend suggested she contact a life coach. She posted a selfie with the coach, Liza Hardingbuck, whom she described as a "guiding star."
McManus said she and Hardingbuck drew up a wish list of goals and created a plan that emphasised a calorie deficit. As a Type 1 diabetic, she said she chose to follow a carb-light approach to better manage her insulin needs and implemented a simple daily target of at least 2.5 litres of water, which she said helped curb cravings. She has also shared details of her regular gym sessions with followers.
The singer has continued to perform publicly. In June she joined Robbie Williams onstage at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, performing "Relight My Fire" in front of an estimated 70,000 people after receiving an invitation from Williams. Posting after the show, McManus thanked Williams for his "unconditional kindness" and offered gratitude to fans, friends, family and her management team, writing that the experience was "a moment I’ll never forget." She also praised Williams's performance as a "master class in live vocals and stage craft."
McManus has framed the transformation as part of a broader change in mindset, saying she learned about self-love and self-worth along the way. In her Instagram remarks she dismissed the idea of a quick fix, writing that a "magic wand" to instantly become a different person does not exist and highlighting instead the role of structured support and a concrete plan.
Her social media updates have included gym footage, lifestyle notes about hydration and food choices, and images from recent appearances. McManus first rose to prominence after winning the 2003 series of Pop Idol and has maintained a public profile through performances, television appearances and posts about her personal progress.