A GREENOCK slimming group manager was thrilled to meet comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness at an annual awards ceremony.

Eileen Foley, who manages Slimming World groups in Greenock, met the star when he hosted their national prize-giving.

Bolton-born Paddy was in TV’s ‘Phoenix Nights’ alongside school friend Peter Kay before becoming a popular stand-up comedian and presenter on prime time shows including ‘Take Me Out’.

Eileen said meeting him at the event in Birmingham’s International Convention Centre was the cherry on the top of a great year for Slimming World.

She said: “The most important thing of all is that our members have lost weight and improved their health throughout 2013.

“Many of them have achieved their target weights and been able do things they never thought possible before slimming down, including doing more with their families, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or simply fitting in smaller-sized clothes.

“And they’re helping their entire family to eat more healthily, too.

“As well as seeing stonking success on the scales, we’ve had a lot of fun throughout the year, too — holding parties, raising money for charity and cheering each other on with every step of the weight-loss journey.” Paddy praised Eileen and said he was ‘genuinely amazed’ to hear about the difference gurus like her had made to people’s lives.

He said: “At the ceremony I met lots of people who’d lost incredible amounts of weight, and it had totally changed their lives.

“Before I started working in comedy I was a fitness instructor so I know how important it is to look after yourself.

“But equally, I know it’s not always easy to motivate yourself.

“Having the right help and support to keep you on track really is invaluable.”