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Reality show legend looks worlds away from C4 fame 20 years after show win – and six stone weight loss
The TV star is proudly embracing the transformation following her gastric sleeve surgery
BIG Brother's Nadia Almada looks worlds away from her Channel 4 fame, 20 years after winning the show.
Nadia, 47, showed off her six stone weight loss on holiday in Gran Canaria today, flaunting her new figure on the beach.
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The reality legend sported a blue bikini while taking a dip in the ocean - before washing the sea water off in a beachside shower.
Nadia is proudly embracing the transformation following her gastric sleeve surgery.
After flying to Turkey for the procedure in March, she has shed an impressive six stone, going from 17st 6lb to 11st 8lb.
Nadia recently told that she had been consuming an overwhelming amount of food prior to the procedure, despite adhering to a vegan lifestyle.
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She confessed: "I was a fully-fledged carbo-tarian. It was so bad that I’d eat two large pizzas with three sides in one night – and that was meant for a family of four. It’s crazy.
"I was a size 20 and a shadow of my former self. I had no stamina, no energy, no vitality – and there was a higher risk of having major heart problems or a stroke from the weight that I’d been carrying."
Nadia jokingly added that she couldn’t even wear heels because of the swelling in her feet but now feels like she has had a "fresh beginning".
She said: "It’s a new start, a fresh beginning. I feel prettier slender, but it’s not just the physical side, I’m also happy that I’ve been able to reverse a lot of the damage that I’d done to my body."
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She went on to share that in just three months, her cholesterol and thyroid levels had improved significantly, describing the surgery as "life-saving" and saying she now has much more energy.
Nadia also acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to life post-surgery, particularly in balancing her emotional eating habits with her body’s actual needs.
Nadia Almada | 20 years after Big Brother - From Reality TV to Trans Role Model
To manage her portions, she said she now uses side plates instead of larger dishes, as part of her ongoing efforts to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
The Portuguese reality star was Big Brother's first ever transgender contestant when she walked into the house in 2004.
Nadia was loud and proud, wearing her heart on her sleeve, and often paraded around the house with big black hair and in glam outfits.
She quickly became very popular with viewers thanks to her fiery temper and hilarious humour.
Back in her Big Brother glory days Nadia's Diary Room appearances proved very emotional.
She was worried the UK public would judge her for keeping her transgender identity a secret.
Of course, that only made her triumphant exit even more emotional - especially as she scooped 74 per cent of the vote.
When host Davina McCall announced she was the winner, beating Jason Cowan and Daniel Bryan, she screamed with joy.
That series was the one with the infamous Fight Night.
The furious display happened after contestants Emma Greenwood and Michelle Bass, who housemates thought had been booted out, returned and let everyone know they'd seen all that had been said about them.
One thing led to another - especially given there was booze involved - and things became so heated security had to calm things down.
After her win, Nadia released a single called A Little Bit of Action.
And in 2010 Nadia had another stay in the famous house as part of Ultimate Big Brother, where she was pitted against other previous contestants including Makosi Musambasi and Josie Gibson.
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The late rapper Coolio was also there, with Nadia and Gangster's Paradise star having several blazing rows.
These days it seems Nadia is much calmer, living life as a hair stylist in London.
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