Emma Chapman scored a big 10 out of 10 from comedian Jason Manford when they met at Slimming World’s annual awards ceremony to celebrate its most successful slimmers.

Emma, who runs weekly Slimming World groups at Plantation Hall, Heybridge every Monday and Prances Scout Campsite, Wickham Bishops every Tuesday, was thrilled to meet the funnyman, who shot to fame on TV panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, at the event in Birmingham.

Salford-born stand-up Jason, who has appeared on a string of television shows including Show Me the Funny, Comedy Rocks and Live at the Apollo, joined Slimming World’s founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, FRSA to host the ceremony.

He said: “Presenting the Slimming World Awards was a real honour. I was blown away by the achievements of all of the slimmers who joined us on stage. Throughout the day I met so many inspirational people, not only the slimmers collecting awards but also the amazing people like Emma who run the groups and help them achieve so much. It’s literally changed their lives beyond all recognition.

“I know keeping weight in control is a challenge for a lot of us these days and I think the people of Heybridge are very lucky to have someone who is clearly as dedicated to their members as Emma is and to have such a great support network on their doorstep. If anyone in Heybridge is thinking about trying to lose weight, I can honestly say that this Slimming World group is the place to do it!”

Emma says meeting Jason Manford was the perfect ending to another extraordinary year for Slimming World. The national organisation helps more than a million people every year to lose weight and lead healthier, happier lives at one of its 8,000 weekly sessions.

“But there’s still a lot of work to be done,” adds Emma. “With some of the highest levels of obesity in Europe here in the UK, in 2012 we want to help even more people to slim down and improve their health starting this January. At this time of year lots of people will be making New Year’s resolutions and pledging to lose weight, and we’d love anyone who wants to make a change to come along and join us.

“Even if they’ve struggled to stick to resolutions in the past, there’s no need to be put off. Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan isn’t a diet, it’s an easy, healthy way of eating that the whole family can enjoy. By making small easy changes to the way they shop, cook and eat, members see a big difference on the scales. Better yet because members can enjoy unlimited amounts of a long list of everyday foods from fruit and veg to pasta and rice and lean meat to eggs and fat free dairy, they never have to go hungry. And that’s the biggest issue for slimmers. When you combine this with all the support, fun and friendship that members get at a Slimming World group, that’s a powerful weight loss package that’s hard to beat – all year round.”