The 29 year-old former model, who underwent over 40 operations and skin grafts after a horrific acid attack by her former boyfriend in 2008 left her badly disfigured, says she has finally regained her body confidence.
She told a UK newspaper: ‘A few years ago, I never thought I would want to have an intimate relationship or wear a bikini in public again.
‘But I went on holiday to Portugal last month with my boyfriend and I wore the tiniest luminous yellow bikini! So it is possible for people, no matter what has set them back, to feel good.
‘After I was burned I got a lot of scars from skin grafts. But now I’m nearly 30, all those insecurities don’t bother me. I know I cannot change them so I just get on with it.
While Katie acknowledges others may not have had to overcome such severe body issues, she recognises that many women are battling with their own insecurities.
‘Lots of people have invisible scars you can’t always see, but they still have hang-ups — and they are just as relevant,’ she said.
Lots of people have invisible scars you can’t always see, but they still have hang-ups — and they are just as relevant
‘Even before the attack I used to feel insecure about things — about being short, pear-shaped or smaller up-top. I still obsess over stupid things sometimes but that’s just being human.’
Katie, who trained as a beautician before her ordeal, is giving beauty tips in Gok Wan’s new Channel 4 show called Gok Live: Stripping For Summer.
Speaking about the three-part series, which started Tuesday night, Katie said: ‘Gok is all about empowering women and building confidence and that’s part of my daily working life, with my charity The Katie Piper Foundation.’
She added: ‘I never want to be one of those people who get to their sixties and realise they’ve wasted their life worrying.
‘I know through a really difficult lesson that once something has gone you can never get it back, so you need to make the most of it and appreciate what you have got.’
Meanwhile it has been reported that Katie is to be the new face of M&S after she was spotting filming scenes for the retailer’s ad campaign last month alongside actress Helen Mirren and photographer Annie Leibovitz. M&S have yet to confirm or deny the reports.