'i'm a normal, wobbly, happy mum who rocks outrageous celeb outfits'

RADIO PRESENTER DANIELLE BROADBENT WENT TO ASDA TO STOCK UP ON PROPS TO SHOW WHAT BEYONCE AND ARIANA GRANDE'S MOST OUTLANDISH DRESSES LOOK LIKE ON A REAL PLUS SIZE WOMAN 13:13, 11 Feb

2025 While watching an awards show on TV late last year, body positivity campaigner Danielle Broadbent was laughing at the ridiculous outfits worn by the celebrities when she had a

brainwave. The 41-year-old mum-of-two decided that she would recreate some of the A-list looks and make a silly calendar that would put a smile on her friends and family’s faces. “There was

almost no plus-size representation at any of the award shows in 2024, or in any of those iconic images from the year. I felt someone had to redress the balance,” she says. So, in November,

Danielle, a radio presenter from West Yorkshire, booked a small studio in Manchester and made her own DIY versions of the most outlandish celeb get-ups. “From Beyoncé’s Renaissance album

cover to Ariana Grande’s Oscars duvet look, I wanted to show that all you need to channel your inner superstar is confidence, creativity and some sass.” She wrapped herself in yellow tape to

reproduce one of Gigi Hadid’s catwalk styles; donned a fur coat and ripped tights to copy Katy Perry’s skimpy fashion week ensemble; and turned a roll of foil into a chic strapless top to

copy Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala corset. Article continues belowREAD MORE: Body positive influencer shares two snaps taken seconds apart to flaunt 'real' curves “Recreating all the

photos with stuff I found at home and cheap accessories from local shops was a challenge, but it was so much fun,” she says. “My friend Polly, who took the photos, couldn’t stop laughing

when I’d emerge in yet another stupid outfit, my bulges and cellulite for all to see. “If I went into my local Asda or pub in any of the outfits on my calendar, I’d certainly raise a few

laughs. Those looks are simply so ridiculous, but I wanted a normal, wobbly, happy mum’s version of them to show that fashion and glamour are for everyone.” And after doing an initial

print-run of just 20 calendars, Danielle was stunned when interest in her project just started to grow. “I had a special party at Christmas for friends and family where I handed out my

calendars but when I posted the photos on Instagram, I got hundreds of private messages from women saying how refreshing it was and how inspirational I was - but I genuinely only started

this project to make people smile.” Yet Danielle wasn’t always so confident and about her body. Naturally slim in her teens and early 20s, she had her daughter Alecia at the age of 22 and

her body returned to its pre-pregnancy shape within weeks. But in 2009, she was diagnosed with a thyroid condition and after she had her son in 2010, she put on 2 stones, and “couldn’t shift

it’. “After having our kids my weight suddenly shot up, I went from a size 10 to a 16 and became a recluse, hating how I looked,” she said. “Because I had an underactive thyroid, I just

couldn’t get my old figure back – I was eating a really healthy diet, smashing the gym and swimming most days, but the progress was almost non-existent. I just felt so ashamed of what I’d

become.” Seven years of yo-yo dieting followed as she went on a variety of slimming plans, including soup diets, but she’d always regain any weight she lost. Then in 2019, when she was

working in telesales, she agreed to go on Channel 4’s Naked Beach series in which people with body confidence issues are mentored and given tools to help them learn to love their physiques.

READ MORE: 'I used to hide my body away – now I flaunt my size 22 tummy with pride' She had intensive therapy and mentoring from plus-size model Felicity Haywood during filming and

finally learned to embrace her body for what it could do, and not what it looked like. Wanting to help other ‘normal women escape that cage’, she has since become a body-positive coach. She

says her partner Mike, 39, who works for the council and has a gardening business, has always supported her, while their children Alecia, 19, and Mikey, 14, are behind her all the way.

“Alecia’s very proud of me,” says Danielle. “I think it’s girls who need to get this message more than anyone.” Article continues below She also wants to set a good example for the next

generation. “The mental health issues kids suffer because they’re exposed to these images of size eight so-called perfection, it’s simply awful – the sooner we can get it into their heads

that confidence and happiness doesn’t come from having to look a certain way, the better. “You have to ask yourself: ‘If Beyonce and Ariana can do it, why not me?” FOLLOW DANIELLE AND BUY A

CALENDAR ON INSTAGRAM AT @ DANIELLE.BROADBENT. VISIT MIND AT MIND.ORG.UK READ MORE: 'Brilliant' hair straighteners that prevent damage now £20 cheaper with special code