Emma Chawner, who first appeared on The X Factor in 2007 aged 17, has revealed an astonishing 16-stone weight loss achieved without surgery. The former contestant, now in her late 30s, shared her transformation on ITV's Lorraine in 2019, emphasising that she had done it entirely on her own.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, Emma said her motivation came from the death of her pet dog and her parents' separation. She also faced further tragedy: her mother died in January 2024 aged 73, and her father passed away in December 2024. Emma launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise £2,200 for her father's funeral but raised only £820, writing: 'I don't have any family left... I hate asking for help but this time I have no choice.'
Emma first auditioned for The X Factor in 2007 and was rejected by judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. She returned in 2009 with her sister Samantha but received four 'no's, with Cheryl Cole commenting that Emma was 'more confident' with her sister but 'nothing else has really improved'.
After her singing ambitions were paused, Emma took part in Lorraine Kelly's Big Fat Challenge. She credited her weight loss to a 30-day detox, cutting out snacks and staying hydrated. Previously, she had blamed her size on genetics, saying: 'It's not because of what I've eaten. It's because of the genes in my family.'
Emma has since posted on Instagram that she continues to lose weight slowly, and fans have praised her, with comments such as 'Fantastic, you look amazing' and 'Your beauty has always shined through'. She has denied having weight loss surgery and said she is happy with her progress, aiming to lose a few more pounds.
