A pair of Sidmouth Slimming World members had a magical start to the new year after being praised by television star Stephen Mulhern.

Jon Borowik and Harriet Steptoe met the magician and Catchphrase and Britain’s Got More Talent presenter when he co-hosted the Slimming World Awards in Birmingham.

Stephen said the work of consultants like Jon and Harriet was ‘clearly important’ in improving members’ lives.

Stephen said: “The stories I heard from people who had lost amazing amounts of weight and transformed themselves – inside and out – were so inspirational.”

Following a photo with the star, Jon said he could not be prouder after members of Sidmouth’s six groups lost a collective total of 754 stone last year.

Jon added: “It’s so rewarding to see people being able to do things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight - whether that’s having more energy and confidence, wearing smaller clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or doing more with their family and friends.”

Harriet said it had been a big year for Slimming World and she hoped 2017 would be just as successful.