Popstar to Operastar

31 August 2011, 00:00

Steps singer Claire Richards has insisted that she found it hard to find anybody to work with her because she was overweight.

The Tragedy singer admitted that her fluctuating weight fuelled insecurities about being in the spotlight.

She told The Sun: "When I was that big [in 2007] nobody would have worked with me.

"I'd go to meetings and never hear from people again because you are not like they remember you.

"They'd use the phrase, 'She has let herself go'. It was crushing."

The Popstar to Operastar singer confessed that she suffered from a mild eating disorder during her time in Steps and was always comparing herself to the other girls in the band.

She said: "I had a really small waist but I didn't see that. Faye [Tozer] was much broader on the top, Lisa [Scott-Lee] is smaller with big boobs but all I saw was my bum is huge.

"I didn't really exercise but I never ate. I didn't let on. I'd eat in public to try to make it look like there was no issue."

Steps have announced plans to release a collection of their hits and will reform for a documentary.

Richards said: "I hope that I have the confidence to look at Lisa and Faye and not compare myself anymore."

Last updated: 31 August 2011, 00:00