icon

Emma Chawner, a legendary contestant on The X Factor, shared her impressive 16 stone weight loss journey amid the tragic loss of both her mum and dad as well as her dog

One of The X Factor’s most unforgettable contestants left fans stunned after revealing an astonishing 16-stone weight loss. Emma Chawner first captured public attention aged just 17 when she and her family had a memorable encounter with judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh after being turned away from the competition in 2007.

Now in her late 30s, Emma has achieved a stunning transformation, emphasising that her dramatic weight loss was accomplished entirely without surgery, as she revealed during a 2019 appearance on ITV’s Lorraine. Taking to Instagram at the time, Emma also shared striking before-and-after photographs, captioning one: “5years down and 16st 4 lost im still losing it but very slow now.”

Admirers were swift to praise her achievement, with messages including: “Fantastic, you look amazing,” and “You look so beautiful and pretty! Please remember weight can not be defined by age, weight, or gender. Your beauty has always shined through! I’m glad to see you! Bless you love!”

Speaking candidly to Lorraine, who had previously extended support to help her family tackle their weight struggles, Emma revealed that her motivation stemmed from the heartbreaking loss of her beloved pet dog and the emotional turmoil surrounding her parents’ separation. Tragically, Emma’s mother died aged 73 in January 2024, with her father passing away in December that same year.

Sadly, Emma was forced to start a GoFundMe in an attempt to raise £2,200 for her dad’s funeral, but only appeared to raise £820 through the website. At the time, she posted her appeal, saying: “I would appreciate any help towards he funeral because at time it’s really hard for me and to pay for it and I really want my dad to have a good send off any amount of money would be greatly appreciated.” Heartbreakingly, she continued: “I don’t have any family left people that know me I hate asking for help put this time i have no choice.”

In a candid conversation with Lorraine, Emma emphasised her weight loss resolve, stating: “No one’s pushed me to do it, I’ve done it all myself. I was always out of breath and diabetic.”

She refuted suggestions from doubters that she had undergone weight loss surgery and voiced her intention to shed a few more pounds, affirming: “I’m happy with how I am and it’s not far to go.”

Emma initially took a shot at fame on The X Factor in 2007 but was met with a firm rejection. Undeterred, she returned to the stage in 2009 alongside her sister Samantha, who married in XXX.

However, Emma faced another setback as she was handed four no’s from the judges, with Cheryl observing, “Emma, I have to say, you’re definitely more confident when you’ve got your sister with you. But nothing else has really improved unfortunately.”

With her singing aspirations momentarily put on hold, Emma participated in Lorraine Kelly’s Big Fat Challenge, a weight loss initiative. She continued her slimming journey after the show, attributing her success to a 30-day detox and healthy habits such as eliminating snacks and staying hydrated.

Prior to joining Lorraine’s programme and seeking advice from diet experts, Emma believed her size was due to genetics, asserting, “It’s not because of what I’ve eaten. It’s because of the genes in my family. Mum’s big, dad’s big, my sister’s big. No-one’s thin in our house.” She had previously been forced to live in a car after her family was reportedly booted out of their home.

Chuck Norris, a former martial arts champion and 1980s action-film hero, has died at the age of 86, according to his family.

In a statement posted to Instagram on Friday, his family described Norris’s death as sudden.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the Norris family wrote.

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

According to the publication Variety, Norris had been hospitalised in Hawaii since Thursday, though details were not disclosed.

Norris was the six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion from 1968 to 1974. But he rose to wider fame in a series of action films, including 1985’s Code of Silence, 1984’s Missing in Action and 1986’s The Delta Force.

He further cemented his status as a household name when he starred from 1993 to 2001 in the popular TV series Walker, Texas Ranger, playing a principled lawman.

Norris’s tough-guy image made him an internet meme in his later years, though he received pushback for his far-right political views and embrace of conspiracy theories.

His family expressed gratitude to fans for their prayers during his hospitalisation.

“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” the post read. “Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

‘The ultimate tough guy’

Norris starred in more than two dozen films, often portraying stoic loners, soldiers, lawmen and all-American heroes who captured criminals and rescued hostages.

He made his film debut in 1973’s The Way of the Dragon, where he famously faced martial arts icon Bruce Lee in Rome’s Colosseum.

In 1985, Time magazine dubbed him “the ultimate tough guy” and “the undisputed superstar” of the B-movie action genre.

On screen, Norris was known for his signature roundhouse kicks, shrugging off gunfire and dispatching opponents with ease. His tough-guy persona made him a box-office draw and a television staple.

Decades later, he joined fellow action stars Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis in 2012’s The Expendables 2, helping defeat a villain played by Belgian fighter Jean-Claude Van Damme.

He also became an unlikely internet phenomenon. In 2005, “Chuck Norris Facts”, a series of satirical jokes about his strength and masculinity, went viral and inspired several books.

The “Facts” included jokes like “Chuck Norris has a mug of nails instead of coffee in the morning” and “Chuck Norris doesn’t do push-ups; he pushes the Earth down.”

‘Texas has lost a legend’

Carlos Ray Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, the oldest of three brothers. The family moved to California after his parents divorced.

He described himself as extremely quiet and introverted as a young man, which he attributed to his father’s alcoholism and the family’s poverty.

“In school I was shy and inhibited,” Norris wrote in his 2004 memoir, Against All Odds: My Story. “If the teacher asked me to recite something aloud in front ‌of the ⁠class, I would just shake my head no.”

According to Norris, he was also not a natural athlete growing up, and he credited his martial arts career to intense training.

After graduating from school, he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1958. While stationed in South Korea, he learned Tang Soo Do, a form of karate, and other martial arts.

The future film star started teaching martial arts in California after his discharge. Actor Steve McQueen, who was one of Norris’s students, eventually encouraged him to try acting.

Tributes poured in following news of his death, including from political figures who shared Norris’s far-right leanings.

“Texas ‌has lost a legend,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X, referencing Norris’s work on Walker, Texas Ranger.

“He electrified generations of conservatives. Giving them a passion and voice to fight for the principles that make America the greatest nation on earth.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute, calling Norris “a great friend of Israel and a close personal friend”.

High-profile stars and artists also mourned Norris’s passing, including several of Norris’s colleagues.

Stallone, for instance, wrote in a statement, “I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way. Great man and my condolences to his wonderful family.”

Author Stephen King, meanwhile, shared a memory of being thrilled — and scared — by Norris’s performance in the action-horror film Silent Rage.

“I thought he was great,” King said.

Coronation Street’s Megan Walsh will finally be exposed in upcoming scenes on the ITV soap, leaving Eva Price and her entire family shaken when they discover what she has been doing

Coronation Street‘s Megan Walsh will finally be exposed in upcoming scenes on the ITV soap. The teacher, played by Beth Nixon, has been carrying out an illicit affair with her student Will Driscoll as part of a controversial storyline on the ITV soap.

Will arrived with his family last October to move into the Rovers Return, and it was quickly established that Megan was his athletics coach but there was a lot more to it than just that. Megan eventually moved to Weatherfield, got a job at the local secondary school and has even started up a relationship with Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) as a cover-up.

But spoilers have now revealed that Megan’s “past will come back to haunt her,” leaving Will’s stepmum Eva Price (Cathertine Tyldesley) to discover the truth about what she has been doing.

READ MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘solve what happens to Joe Tate’ after spotting new ITVX promoREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Alya actress had Emmerdale star ex-boyfriend before split

Megan’s flatmate Leanne also looks set to weigh in on the harrowing situation, as her own stespon Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) has worked out what his going on between Will and Megan, and has received multiple threats from the villainous teacher. After the bombshell scenes, this will also leave Daniel wondering where he stands as he potentially comes to realise that his entire relationship was a lie.

Just weeks ago, Corrie aired a flashforward episode that revealed that Megan is one of five potential murder victims, along with fellow villains Jodie Ramsey, Carl Webster, Maggie Driscoll, and Theo Silverton. So will this all lead to the ultimate downfall for Megan or will the teacher actually face prison time for her crimes?

Coronation Street boss Kate Brookes recently explained that she the story was a “very important” one to tell. She said: “It’s a very important story to tell and we want to be as truthful as possible. As part of that story Sam will end up getting embroiled in it all.

“Sam is semi-related to the pub family and he potentially gets wind that something’s amiss. We will see the lengths that Megan will go to manipulate Sam into keeping quiet. It’ll be massively detrimental to Sam’s wellbeing.”

Meanwhile, for actress Beth Nixon, Coronation Street marks her television debut but she had actually auditioned for other parts on the soap before landing the role of Megan. Speaking to York College, Beth shared that the casting team had seen Beth in several shows at her drama school: the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, so she was “kind of on their radar.”

Revealing her past audition history, Beth explained: “But I’d auditioned for Corrie twice before – as a baddie both times of course – including for the role of Lauren.” Actress Cait Fitton ended up being cast as Lauren, making her debut in 2022, and has remained on the show since.

Beth added: “Then, earlier this year, my agent sent me a casting brief and explained it was for a paedophile, which is a bit crazy to play because they’re obviously not a redeemable character, so they can push it pretty far.” After sending a self-tape Beth attended a chemistry test with other actors who were being considered to play Will. She then performed a scene on the set at The Bistro – and it turned out the bosses were rather impressed with her.

Beth – who was working as a skin clinic manager before joining Corrie – said: “I was at work when my agent called me. I was upstairs as my colleague watched the desk and, when he told me I’d got it, everybody in the clinic could hear me screaming my head off and then I cried, because it’s been four years since I graduated and this is my first TV role.

“It’s been a hard time and I was really close to quitting, having a normal job and pursuing a different career, so this just came at exactly the right time and when I needed it.”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard, who was diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer, says she is trying to “disguise what she is going through” to appear on a red carpet

Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard has admitted that she is “even more nervous” than usual about going on red carpets amid her cancer battle. The actress, 68, who played Rovers landlady Liz McDonald on the ITV soap on and off for 30 years, revealed last month that she had been diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer and is continuing to recover from her first bout of surgery.

The soap legend has been keeping fans up to date regularly, but after taking some much-needed time away from social media to spend time with her husband, she returned with another candid post on Tuesday evening, where she sadly explained she is trying to “disguise” any signs of her illness as she prepares to step in front of the cameras again to promote a project.

Beverley, who has been married to Jon McEwan since 2010, said: “Hi. An update. I’ve not posted for the last couple of days because to be honest, I’m just really tired, I’m rubbish at the moment. But also, a lot of your messages have been so great and lots of them said ‘Just take a bit of time for you!’ So I’ve done that and it was good for Jon and I just to have some quiet time because, obviously, it gets to him, just as much as me.

READ MORE: Corrie’s Beverley Callard in heartbreaking health update saying she’s struggling to eatREAD MORE: Corrie’s Beverley Callard cries as she shares health up date amid cancer battle

“Anyway, today has been a good day. I’ve had more energy and I actually went and had my nails done today, which was quite nice. But I was exhausted when I came back not doing anything!

“Another thing I wanted to talk about was…I have to, hopefully, go back to work on Sunday and Monday, just for two days but it’s to do promotion for a job that I filmed last year, a few months ago and I’ve got the most worrying thing. It’s a bit of a red carpet do and anybody who knows me knows I hate those things.”

The star, who recently signed up to appear in the Irish soap Fair City and was preparing to film her first scenes when doctors informed her she had cancer, insisted that she “loves” everything about being an actress apart from the publicity side of things and admitted that her fears have got “even worse” since her diagnosis.

She said: “I love my job, I love learning lines, I love creating a character but standing posing on a red carpet is my worst nightmare. But now [it’s] even worse because I feel lopsided.

“I’ve just had to have a lady come to alter a dress that I’m thinking about wearing, and try and disguise what I’m going through at the moment so I’m even more nervous about it.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

“I know loads of people will think ‘Ooh, red carpet, and getting all dressed up…’ I prefer being dressed like this, but there you go! I’m nervous and anxious about that, and I’m trying to prepare.” Beverley

“The other thing is that I’ve got the hospital again in the morning and hopefully I will find out tomorrow if I have to have a second procedure, that’s at 9am, so I’ll know more about where I stand then but I’m sending loads of love, and thank you for the love you’re sending me.”

The update comes just days after Beverley tearfully revealed she was struggling following her surgery. The Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star told her followers: “Full disclosure, it’s a week today since my operation and I woke up this morning and I put yesterday’s clothes on – which were dropped on the floor last night when I went to bed.

I I’ve not cleaned my teeth, I’ve not combed my hair. I can’t answer my phone because if somebody says a kind word to me, I just cry.”

And I’m so absolutely, absolutely rubbish today and I’ve been like that all day. I’m really tired, I keep feeling a bit queasy but I’ve no idea why. And I just thought, ‘oh well I’m not going to post anything today because I don’t want to make people feel miserable’ – but maybe you are feeling the same.”

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.