Dawn French reveals slimline figure ... but is fond of larger look

The actress, who is still getting used to her new shape, said she had never been unhappy with her size, and does not plan to lose any more weight.

In an interview with the new edition of Woman magazine, she said she also struggles to swim in the sea after shedding the pounds because she now feels the cold after losing her insulation.

French will soon be seen on screen in a slimmer form for the new series of downbeat BBC comedy Roger & Val Have Just Got In, but she has lost a further three stone since then.

"When we filmed the series, I'd lost about 4st but I've lost 7st 7lb now. I don't want to lose much more but it's funny looking at Roger & Val - because I look so different now."

Comic actress French has been large since she emerged in the public eye almost 30 years ago.
She said: "I have a great fondness for that other body. I knew it very well and I don't know this one as well, not yet.

"I was never actually unhappy then so it's not the case that I was miserable and I'm happy now."

She told Woman: "The fact is, I'm still a fat woman. I'm still stones over my BMI index or whatever it's called. I never even knew such a thing existed until people started telling me there was a weight you're supposed to be."

French, who has restricted her intake of carbohydrates, said she finds it hard to resist some foods, and lost her self-restraint at a recent party.

"I don't eat bread, potatoes or pasta now. I don't have chocolate in my house. That is really hard," said the star, who announced she and Lenny Henry had separated in 2010 after 25 years of marriage.

"I was at a mate's birthday party last weekend and there was amazing food all around me so I had bit of everything. I don't feel guilty though. I don't do anything punishing."

Her new figure has made her feel healthier, she said, and she finds it much easier to make a daily trip up a hill close to her home.

But there has been a downside, she admitted.

"I like to swim (in the sea) but I've found it much harder to get in the water with less weight.

"Before, I had all this lovely blubber - I had my own wetsuit. Now I can't get in the water in the winter months. I don't have enough flesh to keep me warm."

The full interview is in the new edition of Woman, which is on sale tomorrow.