Charlotte comfort eats over family shock
Tuesday 06 May 2008
Curvy charlotte Church had shed almost all of her baby weight after a healthy eating and exercise regime – but a family crisis has seen her seek her beloved junk food.
And, as our exclusive pictures show, she’s fast regaining the weight she’s worked so hard to lose. Charlotte, who had Ruby in September by partner Gavin Henson, has been under tremendous pressure as her stepbrother, Andrew Church, is being investigated over an alleged rape.
A worried friend told Closer: “Since Charlotte heard the news about her stepbrother a few weeks ago, she’s barely shown her face in public. She’s very preoccupied and can’t be bothered about healthy diets.
“The weight’s gone back on again, but it’s all down to the family stress she is under. When Charlotte’s stressed or upset, she always turns to food – she’s a classic yo-yo dieter.
“When she’s happy she can be persuaded to exercise, but when she’s down she tends to mope and indulge her cravings.”
Until recently, Charlotte, 22, had been on a low-fat diet of white meat instead of pizza, and working out in her home gym.
The pal added: “Before this, Charlotte was doing really well. She was eating fish and lots of veggies, preparing for a summer holiday in Mexico. Now she’s doing less exercise and eating like she did before.”
Andrew Church – whose dad is Charlotte’s stepfather James – is at the centre of a police investigation over the alleged rape, reported to have taken place in early April. The unemployed 22 year-old, who lives in Cardiff, was taken into police custody last week. He’s since been released without charge while police investigate.
Although she isn’t in touch with her stepbrother, Charlotte’s upset that his arrest has dragged her name into a messy situation.
A pal said: “She was shocked and doesn’t want to spend time with her wider family at the moment. All she’s interested in is Gavin and Ruby.”
It isn’t the first time that the Church family has been embroiled in controversy. Charlotte hasn’t seen Andrew for years because of a bitter family rift.
Her stepfather James lost contact with Andrew and his daughter Elisha in the late ’90s after Elisha accused the singing star’s mum, Maria, of being controlling and ruining Charlotte’s life. She also said her father had abandoned her for a showbiz lifestyle.
“The fact that Charlotte’s letting herself go again shows how tough she’s finding this family crisis,” said our source.
“Gavin’s mum Audrey is worried about her, so she stops by with goodies like apple pies. She wants to cheer Charlotte up, and Charl can’t resist the sweet treats at the moment.
It’s a big setback to her get-in-shape plan. 
“She hated having to exercise and follow a healthy eating diet, but she really wanted to look good before starting back at work on her telly show, which is on-screen this summer.”
It’s not the first time that Charlotte’s weight has yo-yoed. The 5ft 5 singer shrunk to a size 8 following a bitter break-up with then-boyfriend Steven Johnson in 2003. But within six months, she was back to a size 10-12.
She started dating rugby star Gavin Henson, 26, in 2005, but a year into their relationship, she began putting on weight and went up to 10st 4lbs in nine months. Charlotte – who’s made no secret of her desire for a big brood of children close together in age – then fell pregnant with baby Ruby, piling on a further 4st.
But while Charlotte takes comfort in junk food, Gavin is furious about the rape claims and worries it will damage his and Charl’s reputation.
Our source said: “Gavin is really image conscious and does not want to be associated
with this at all. He loves being a celebrity and takes any negative publicity very badly.
“Charlotte’s side of the family have just turned away from the whole thing and want nothing to do with it.”
By Sophie Neville
To learn how to stick to a healthy diet plan go to www.closerdiets.com