Michelle Heaton was praised by Loose Women viewers as she appeared on the show in her bikini and bravely talked about her hysterectomy and mastectomy scars.
“I’m shaking,” said the Liberty X star, who looked stunning in a blue bikini.
Michelle admitted that she’d initially turned down the request to take part in the Loose Women Body Stories campaign.
The mother of two then revealed why she had a change of heart. “My whole thing is about trying to get women to be more confident and comfortable in their own body, and be who we want to be.
“So I thought, ‘If I don’t do it, who am I to give advice to other people?'”
Her decision quickly won admiration from viewers. “Nothing but 100% respect for you,” wrote one. “What a woman to do that and be a role model for girls. I think your daughter will be proud.”
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Steps singer Lee Latchford-Evans wrote: “@loosewomenladies & @wonderwomanshel proving beauty shines on the outside when released from within. Love & Respect x”
TV presenter Anna Williamson also took to Twitter. “Woohoo you go girl @wonderwomanshel,” she wrote. “How amazing do you look on @loosewomen honeypie!! Inspiring #MyBodyMyStory.”
Michelle had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2012, after being diagnosed with a mutated BRCA2 gene, which meant she had an 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer. In 2015, she underwent a hysterectomy and oophorectomy to reduce her chance of getting ovarian cancer.
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She told the Loose Women hosts that she also has scars on her bum as she has hormone replacement injections every six months.
“I have had six so far,” she said. “And every time I have another one, I have another scar.”
She was overwhelmed with the support from viewers. “Thank you all so much for your comments,” she said, adding that she’d read them all. “It’s all very much appreciated.”
She also thanked the Loose Women hosts for “making me feel #bodyconfident.”