Strictly star lost three stone after removing one food type from diet

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Erin Boag was left in tears when she gained four stone during her pregnancy, but she went on to drop an impressive three stone postpartum

Erin Boag, the former Strictly Come Dancing star, was left devastated after gaining four stone during her pregnancy, fearing she might never return to the svelte figure that had charmed audiences for over a decade, reports OK!

But the now-49 year old dance pro made an incredible comeback, shedding three stone post-baby by embracing a straightforward lifestyle overhaul. Erin, who graced the Strictly dance floor for 10 series starting from its inception in 2004, credits the Rainbow Diet as her lifeline, calling it a total game-changer. "I was watching a TV ­documentary about overweight people and their whole food intake for a week was laid out on a table. It was all the same colour: beige," Erin recounted from a past interview.

She continued: "Then they laid out a healthy diet on another table, full of vibrant colours. The idea is that if you put bright, fresh colourful foods into your body and avoid processed junk, generally you are on the right track. It's simple but it works." Reflecting on the emotional toll of her weight gain during pregnancy, Erin admitted: "I'm not ashamed to say that I stood on the scales halfway through my pregnancy and I burst into tears when I saw just how much weight I had put on."

She opened up further: "It might sound shallow, but being in good shape is part of my job. One of the reasons I decided to have a child in later life was to focus on my career. I had been a slim size eight for years. Then suddenly I was fat – not just on my bump but all over and it felt horrible".

"I wasn't prepared for just how much my body would change." After nearly a decade on Strictly, Erin decided to leave the show to start a family. In 2014, she and her husband Peter O'Dowd welcomed their son Ewan via an unexpected C-section, reports OK! Just two weeks post-birth, Erin embarked on a colourful eating plan coupled with regular exercise, which saw her drop from 13st to just under 10st. The diet, low in fat and carbs, emphasises the consumption of brightly coloured foods.

Erin swapped starchy foods like potatoes and pasta for fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats and fish. Alongside four weekly gym sessions, this strict regimen allowed her to slim down enough to perform on stage with her Strictly dance partner Anton Du Beke, just two months after giving birth.

Known as Miss Whiplash on Strictly for whipping celebrities into dancing shape, Erin has previously been partnered with comedian Julian Clary, hurdler Colin Jackson, ex-Manchester United star Peter Schmeichel and Lib Dem Vince Cable. Erin spoke up about her difficult decision to exit Strictly, stating: "After 10 wonderful years, and with a truly heavy heart, I have decided to decline the BBC's very kind offer to compete again in series 11, and have withdrawn from being a competitive dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. It's been a very hard decision to make, but it's time for a change and to focus my ­attention on new challenges.

She then added a touch of optimism: "That said, it's not necessarily farewell to Strictly as I do hope to continue being a part of the show."