A 27st woman was told by her doctor she was so big she was going blind.

Joanne Kiddell plunged into a spiral of binge eating and she hit rock bottom when she was told by doctors she was losing her eyesight.

The grandmother of two knew if she didn't change her life she would miss out on watching her grandchildren grow up.

Joanne said: "I started comfort eating from very early on because of my size.

READ MORE: Dark history of Norwich revealed in walking tour across city

Norwich Evening News: Joanne lost more than half her body weight since joining Slimming WorldJoanne lost more than half her body weight since joining Slimming World (Image: Joanne Kiddell/Slimming World)

"I was bigger than other people my age for as long as I can remember."

Five years ago the social worker was diagnosed with a serious neurological condition that was linked to her weight. 

And when the doctor warned her about her eyes Joanne decided it was time to turn her life around.

READ MORE: 'An inspiration' - Norwich man who lost NINE stone runs London Marathon

Norwich Evening News: Joanne now freely enjoys quality time with her familyJoanne now freely enjoys quality time with her family (Image: Slimming World)

 

"The diagnosis was the wake-up call I needed," she added.

"I knew I had to make a change now if I wanted to live to see my grandkids grow up.”

Joanne has managed to completely reverse her diagnosis of intracranial hypertension - a build up of pressure and fluid in the brain.

READ MORE: Secret Norwich garden set to open for public with plant sale

Norwich Evening News: Joanne felt like she was 'existing, not living' before her weight lossJoanne felt like she was 'existing, not living' before her weight loss (Image: Slimming World/Joanne Kiddell)

Her remarkable weight loss caused her to drop from a size 32 to a size 10 losing more than half her previous body weight.

She took the plunge to join a weight-loss group in 2019 and has now been named Slimming World's Greatest Loser 2024.

Norwich Evening News: Joanne feels 'confident' since her weight lossJoanne feels 'confident' since her weight loss (Image: Slimming World)

She added: “I am now able to do all the things with my granddaughters that I missed out on with my own children – like swimming.

"For the first time ever, I had the confidence to play in the pool with them on holiday, which is such a lovely memory that I truly cherish.”