Sophie Braithwait from Sheffield starved herself to look like Cheryl

A woman who starved herself to look like Cheryl Cole has told how she shrunk to just under 5st 13lbs after developing anorexia.

Sophie Braithwait, 19, of Sheffield, restricted her diet to such an extent that she took along scales to measure portions when she dined out.

As her condition worsened, she was eventually living off one apple a day to emulate the size of her pop idol.

The turning point came when she passed out from a blood test because her body was so weak, and she has now recovered with the support of he boyfriend and family.  

Sophie Braithwait, 19, of Sheffield, pictured in December 2016, having recovered from anorexia

The teenager pictured in August 2015, aged 18, during the lowest point of her anorexia battle when she weighed 5st 13lb

Cheryl shocked fans when she appeared at the X Factor auditions in 2015, looking noticeably frail and slim 

When Sophie was battling anorexia in 2015 there was widespread speculation that Cheryl Cole had an eating disorder, which she denied.

Despite the fears over Cheryl’s health, she remained an inspiration for Sophie.

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Sophie, who has now recovered from anorexia and has returned to a healthy weight, says: ‘I’d spend so much time looking at Cheryl and wishing I was as thin as her.

‘Even though people around me were saying negative things about her weight – to me she looked perfect.

Gregg Slater, 21, has helped Sophie overcome her condition. The couple ate out together and enjoyed takeaways at home as Gregg helped Sophie realise that food was not an enemy

Sophie Braithwait, 19, of Sheffield, pictured in December 2016, having recovered from anorexia

‘The reality was that I was extremely ill and a lot thinner than she was, but I just couldn’t see it.’

Sophie first became self-conscious of her size in December 2013.

Then aged 16, Sophie shaved her head to raise money for Cancer Research.

She says: ‘Suddenly I became self-conscious of my chubby cheeks.

The teen was bullied after shaving her head for Cancer Research UK (left) and she became self conscious when people commented on her chubby cheeks 

Sophie Braithwait, pictured aged 18 at the start of her anorexia recovery in September 2015, weighing 6st 1lbs

The teenager, pictured aged 17 during her anorexia battle in January 2015, weighing 6st 13lbs

‘As my hair started to grow back, I was trolled by schoolmates who told me I looked like a butch lesbian.’

Weighing 9st 10lbs, Sophie downloaded a calorie counting app to lose weight.

Sophie, who is 5ft 2in, says: ‘I cut out junk food and started eating healthily, and I reached my target of 8st within a month.

‘But soon I became obsessed with seeing my weight fall further.

The teenager weighed a healthy 9st 10lbs in November 2013, but became obsessed with looking as slim as the former Cheryl Cole (left). Sophie pictured aged 18 during her anorexia battle in March 2015 weighing 6st 7lbs (right)

‘I was still eating three meals a day, but my portion sizes were small.’

By July 2014, Sophie weighed 7st 6lbs.

Her mum, June, noticed something was wrong and took her daughter to her GP, who recommended Sophie eat two Magnum ice creams each day in order to increase her calorie intake until she felt comfortable eating more substantial, higher-calorie meals.

Sophie says: ‘I thought it was ridiculous, and just carried on restricting my diet.

The teenager is now feeling confident with her shape after overcoming her eating disorder and has thrown away the scales 

‘I refused to eat any food that wasn’t plain. All sauces and flavouring, including salt, were off limits.

‘I weighed out everything I ate, and even when I was eating out, I had a set of scales in my bag to measure portions.

‘I also exercised for two hours a day, seven days a week.’

By September 2014, Sophie was aware her habits were out of control and returned to her doctor.

Weighing 6st 13lbs, she was diagnosed with anorexia and referred to eating disorder charity, South Yorkshire Eating Disorders Association (SYEDA) in Sheffield for a psychological evaluation.

Sophie says: ‘Unfortunately I didn’t feel comfortable and decided not to attend any more sessions, and over the next few months I only got worse.

‘I didn’t feel like the clinic was helping me.’

By April 2015 Sophie was eating as little as one apple a day.

And by July she weighed 5st 13lbs and she was referred to St George’s Community Health Clinic in Sheffield.

Sophie says: ‘Seeing how thin other outpatients were only made my anorexia worse.

‘And it was then that I developed my obsession with Cheryl Cole.

In every therapy session Sohie told her therapist that she wanted to look like Cheryl and be as skinny as her

Gregg has supported Sophie through her recovery and Sophie has vowed that she will never neglect her body again 

‘Every session I told my therapist that I wanted to look like her and be as skinny as her.

‘I even had photographs of Cheryl that I’d printed out, and I would show them to my therapists and tell them how amazing she was.’

A recent photo of Sophie shows how she’s now happy and healthy 

Despite widespread speculation that Cheryl Cole was suffering from an eating order, which she denied, the ex-Girls Aloud star remained a source of inspiration for Sophie.

Later that month Sophie fainted when a doctor tried to take a blood sample.

Sophie says: ‘My blood pressure was so low that my body couldn’t take it.

‘I was really shocked and I suddenly realised how ill I was.

‘I’d let myself get to such a low point, and I knew I needed to get better.’

In December 2015 Sophie made a determined effort to recover from anorexia.

While she struggled at first, Sophie was supported by her now boyfriend Gregg Slater, 21, a marketing executive.

The couple ate out together and enjoyed takeaways at home as Gregg helped Sophie realise that food was not an enemy.

Over the course of several months, Sophie gradually increased her portion sizes and visited a nutritional therapist to ensure she was eating balanced meals.

She also began weight training five times a week to gain muscle lost during her battle with anorexia.

With the support of Gregg and her family, Sophie’s weight rose to 8st 7lbs by July 2016.

Now, Sophie has beaten anorexia and is weight restored.

She no longer obsesses over counting calories and has stopped weighing herself to avoid developing obsessive tendencies.

Sophie says: ‘I know I’ve gained more weight, but l feel happy and confident with how I look.

‘Now I know what nourishes my body and I recognise the importance of taking care of myself.

It has taken time for Sophie to realise that food isn’t her ‘enemy’. Pictured: December 2014, weighing 6st 13lbs

‘I eat three healthy meals a day and if I’m hungry in-between and need a snack – then I’ll have one.

‘I can’t believe I ever obsessed over a celebrity’s body. I’ve now realised that even fittest person is trying to aspire to look like someone else, but it’s a vicious cycle and no way to live your life.

‘Everyone is a different body shape and you can’t try to make yourself look like something you’re not.

‘Anorexia is a dangerous illness, and I’ll never neglect my body again.’