Scottish singer Michelle McManus shot to fame on the ITV talent show in 2003 and has since ditched her brunette hair for gorgeous bright orange locks

Former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus broke down on Tuesday’s instalment of Loose Women as she recalled how she was treated due to her appearance after winning the singing competition.

The Scottish singer, 43, now looks very different after undergoing an incredible hair transformation. Michelle, who is now a mum-of-two, shot to fame on the ITV talent show in 2003 and has since ditched her brunette hair for gorgeous bright orange locks.

Appearing on the Loose Women panel alongside Coleen Nolan, Charlene White, Frankie Bridge, and Janet Street-Porter, ITV viewers couldn’t quite believe their eyes when Michelle walked out onto the panel as they ‘gasped’ over her age-defying looks. Several viewers flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to gush over Michelle’s new look as they insisted that she hasn’t changed or aged in over twenty years.

Michelle broke down on Loose Women ( 
Image:
ITV)

However, as Michelle looked back on her time on Pop Idol, she revealed that her time on the show was dominated by her appearance as she recalled the cruel fat-shaming she endured, when she was aged just 23 at the time. While viewers at home couldn’t help but gush over Michelle’s appearance past and present, the singer broke down while reliving how she felt at the time when she was being judged for how she looked during the competition – rather than her incredible voice.

“It was really difficult. I don’t know why I’m getting emotional now, it was twenty years ago,” Michelle said as she fought tears before Charlene intervened and diverted the conversation. Following the emotional moment, ITV viewers took to social media to gush over Michelle. “Michelle is such a sweetheart!!! She also doesn’t look 43. The woman hasn’t aged in twenty years,” one enthused.

“Wow poor Michelle. So sad that twenty years on the abuse obviously cuts deep,” another echoed. “Michelle McManus looks incredible omg!!!!” someone else swooned. While another complained: “It’s horrific this woman is still so affected by the hate she got. Love her.”

Michelle signed to Sony BMG record label after her Pop Idol victory, before releasing her debut single All This Time and debut album The Meaning of Love in 2004, which soared to number three in the charts.

The star has appeared on Channel 4 dieting programme You Are What You Eat in 2005, which was followed by a book and DVD about weight loss. Michelle is married to Jeff Nimmo, who she wed in 2017 and they share two sons together.