As Cherie Blair arrived at Breast Cancer Care's annual fashion show last night, it was astonishingly clear that a weight has been lifted off her shoulders in recent months.
The 54-year-old, who spent the night rubbing shoulders with Strictly Come Dancing stars Brendan Cole and Lisa Snowdon, happily showed off her newly trimmed down frame in a plum confection.
Her svelte appearance was in stark contrast to this time last year, when she attended the same event in a unflattering full-length lace dress.
Cherie's battle of the bulge has been well publicised and in recent years she has left no stone unturned in her quest to lose weight.
Following the birth of her youngest son Leo in 2000, Cherie had a consultation with French 'facial analyst' Elizabeth Gray Gibaud, who claims to detect what minerals and salts are lacking from a diet by studying a person's pores and wrinkles.
In 2001 she sought to lighten heavy legs and deflate puffy ankles through New-Age guru Bharti Vyas's brand of lymphatic drainage therapy.
Then in 2003, she attempted to shed the pounds with the controversial RejuvaSlim method, which involves electrical currents being zapped through the body to eliminate toxins.
The following year, Cherie tested out a pair of MBTs trainers, which are said to encourage weight-loss, beat cellulite and improve posture.
This time around her weight loss appears to be a team effort - husband Tony has also managed to slim down since leaving Downing Street last year.
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