A woman who starved herself to look like Cheryl Cole has told how she shrunk to just under 5st 13lbs after developing anorexia. Sophie Braithwait, 19, of Sheffield, restricted her diet to such an extent that she took along scales to measure portions when she dined out. As her condition worsened, she was eventually living off one apple a day to emulate the size of her pop idol. When Sophie was battling anorexia in 2015 there was widespread speculation that Cheryl Cole had an eating disorder, which she denied. Despite the fears over Cheryl’s health, she remained an inspiration for Sophie. Sophie, who has now recovered from anorexia and has returned to a healthy weight, says: “I’d spend so much time looking at Cheryl and wishing I was as thin as her."
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