Diamond branded 'cheat' on 'Fit Club'

[Debs]

Anne Diamond has been branded a cheat for keeping a stomach operation secret from fellow Celebrity Fit Club dieters.

The TV presenter had a gastric lap band operation in September, according to BBC News Online. At the time, she weighed more than 14 stone, and hoped that the surgery would fix this. Lap bands limit food consumption and tighten around the upper part of the stomach to form a smaller gastric pouch.

Diamond was criticised for her secrecy by contestant Carole Malone, who said: "It is disingenuous. We were not all starting on a level playing field. I think it's a bit of cheat. You didn't own up to it. You were specifically asked if you had had surgery."

However, fellow contestant Russell Grant called her "desperate" and said he hoped the revelation would relax her. "I think ITV's decision to let her remain on board is a compassionate gesture to someone who so needs to fall back in love with herself," he added.

A show spokesman said: "The fact that she went to such lengths to tackle her weight problem is an indication of how serious this is for her."

[Em]

I dont think ITV should let her continue.

Its not a level playing field if she physically cannot eat as much as the others, and she should have been honest form the start.

[hazey]

I think she should continue,it is only a help,not a solution,as she is not loosing that much with it in place,The programme is also about getting fit and there is no prize money at stake so I can't see the problem. It would be differant if she was loosing say 8lb a week,but this week it was only 1lb.

[Jojo]

I think she should continue,it is only a help,not a solution,as she is not loosing that much with it in place,The programme is also about getting fit and there is no prize money at stake so I can't see the problem. It would be differant if she was loosing say 8lb a week,but this week it was only 1lb.I agree with you Hazey - she obviously so wants to lose her weight, and a gastric band can only do so much - it doesnt get you fit and shes not losing weight a stone at a time - well done ITV :D

[no1abbafan]

I can see Carole Malone's point though, she denied surgery when asked and then this comes out. Also looking at her crying last night, saying she wrote letters to all her children before the operation etc.. I could feel no sympathy for her. If she was that desperate to be thin, then she would do it through diet/exercise not an operation, if she was afraid she wouldn't make it.