Harry Derbridge was a shy and giggly teenager when he was propelled to fame on The Only Way is Essex alongside his cousin, Amy Childs.
He would later admit that during his time on screen he was actually battling an eating disorder that saw him starve himself down to 7st when he was 16, terrified of food and constantly feeling "weak".
Posting a side by side comparison from when he was in the grips of anorexia, to his healthy frame aged 23, the difference was startling.
He wrote alongside the photos: "#transformation my journey with an eating disorder was a struggle and I know I'm not a muscle pump up pete now but where I am right now I have never felt and looked better in myself.
"The image on the left aged 16 I was 7 stone and very unhealthy and could go a day without eating, I also had a fear of food which can be diagnosed as a 'food phobia'. I had made my stomach so tiny that I could eat 2 bites of food and be full which was very unhealthy and made me very weak.
Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here .
"The image on the right was taken a couple of months ago and is how I look and feel right now. I eat 3/4 meals a day and without my family and friends I could not have done it. My mum who is also my best friend was by my side and helped me overcome this and with months of making myself sick with the phobia of trying new foods I have now overcome the eating disorder and feel so amazing now when I eat and I feel stronger, healthy and happier in myself.
"Eating disorder are not common in men, not because we don't have them but because many men choose not to talk about them and ignore it. I am here to say it is ok and without the help and love I had I would never feel as amazing as I do today and I want to help many people facing eating disorders and together we can kick it in the a**! Now all I need is a cute six pack".
During his time on TOWIE, Harry, now 27, shared a brief and tumultuous relationship with his fellow cast member, Bobby Norris.
Harry admitted to Bobby in front of the cameras that he had cheated on him with his ex-boyfriend Rhys Alan Smith while on holiday, though Harry later retracted his cheating claim and said it never happened.
Bobby said the drama left him feeling "lower than a worm's t**s".
In 2017, Harry, who is now a makeup artist, embarked on a new relationship with Dean Rowland, and the loved up pair even spoke of their desire to have a family together.
"I am so excited for that day. I hope it will be soon but we're both so excited for when that day actually happens and we're ready," gushed Harry.
Dean added: "When we're out shopping and we see children's clothes, we're both like, 'Aw, that would be lovely.'"
But couple decided to put their adoption plans on hold to launch their own makeup brush business in 2020.
Harry told the Daily Mail: "People thought we were crazy launching this in lockdown but there’s no stopping us, we’re on a roll.
"We opened up a business in a pandemic. If life was back to normal, would we have had the time? This is a positive."
He added that they were "easily going to turn over a million" by the end of 2020.
In 2019, Harry enlisted the help of his cousin Amy to help him plan a surprise proposal and engagement party after popping the question to Dean.
Dean said yes, and the couple got planning their wedding, but the pandemic hit and scuppered their plans, forcing them to delay twice and eventually cancel their nuptials.
In April 2021, Harry was hit with the devastating news that his ex Rhys had died in his Tenerife home.
In a devastated tribute on Instagram, Harry wrote that his heart was "truly broken".
Alongside a number of snaps with Rhys, who he dated in 2013, Harry penned: "I can't believe I'm even writing this. Rhys was such a big part of my life and I will never forget the memories we shared together.
"He was the most caring and thoughtful man and this news has truly broken my heart.
"My thoughts right now are with his family, mum, brother, sister, nieces, nephews, Nan and all his friends. I still can't believe this is true. RIP Rhys, I will never forget you."
Six months later, Harry's fiancee Dean revealed the sad news they had decided to split.
Dean wrote in a heartbreaking post: "After 4 long amazing years, Harry and I have decided to part ways.
"It's with a really heavy heart and absolute anxiety that I'm sharing this with you all."
He continued: "After 4 long amazing years, Harry and I have decided to part ways; this is totally on good terms. Nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure taking us different paths for now.
'There are no secret nor salacious events at the root of decision- just two best friends realising it's time to take some space and help each other live the most joyous, fulfilled lives possible.
"I would trust him with anything and he still remains that important person in my life.
"No relationship is easy, and we all know this, but with my hand on my heart, I can say the last 4 years have been the most amazing memories I could have ever asked for in a human being.
"We have laughed, cried and drunk a lot of wine, and after all of this, I still have the utmost respect for Harry and his decisions going forward."
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call Beat on 0808 801 0677 or visit
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Do you have a story to share? Email webfeatures@trinitymirror.com
