Wearing a backless black minidress and towering heels, model Abbey Clancy revealed her amazingly slim post-baby body at a London showbiz party last week just seven weeks after giving birth to Sophia Ruby in March.
Abbey, 25, due to marry fiancé Peter Crouch, 30, in a fairy-tale wedding at the end of June, looked incredibly slender in the revealing outfit, and pals say the WAG has dropped a stone in the last three weeks alone – taking her back to her pre-pregnancy size 6 body.
Sources close to the 5ft 9 star say: “Abbey’s lost nearly 2st of baby weight – and almost a stone of that was in the last month.”
But while she’s pleased with her super-slim figure, pals are concerned the dramatic weight loss could be partly down to the fact Abbey’s confidence over her relationship with Tottenham Hotspur footballer Peter is still at a low ebb. They say that she’s trying to rebuild her self-esteem by getting in the most fantastic shape of her life.
'Abbey feels in control when she looks her best'
A pal says: “Abbey feels in control when she looks her best. She wasn’t comfortable with her pregnancy body. She’s delighted to be back to her pre-baby figure – but she lost weight so fast friends are worried that stress over her problems with Peter and the wedding are taking their toll.”
The couple weathered the storm last summer when prostitute Monica Mint claimed Peter had paid her for sex. Abbey was shaken again earlier this year when he hit the headlines once more for visiting a Dubai apartment block with air hostess Suzanne Thunestveit, 22, while Abbey was heavily pregnant. While there’s no suggestion Pete was involved in any improper behaviour, pals say Abbey was still left upset.
“Abbey’s determined to make things work and is hoping the wedding will mark a new start for them,” says a source. “But she still finds it tough.”
Invites to the wedding – rumoured to be at Stapleford Park Hotel in Leicestershire on 30 June – were sent out last month and pals say Abbey is determined it will be perfect.
“Abbey wants a fairy-tale day,” says a source. “She’s been meticulously planning every detail for months.”
And while Abbey insists she’s not dieting before the wedding, friends tell Closer she’s eating tiny meals and snacking on “nuts, sushi, Diet Coke and water.”
“Abbey usually has a huge appetite,” says a source. “But getting in shape for the wedding, lack of sleep and looking after Sophia has left her picking at food and only able to face small portions.
“We’re worried wedding stress is affecting her appetite.”
Celebrity fitness expert Nicki Waterman estimates Abbey now weighs just over 8st.
Nicki says: “Abbey’s weight loss has happened very quickly. It could be down to nervous energy rather than a conscious decision to diet. I always advise waiting at least six weeks after giving birth before trying to get back in shape, so the body can recover and regain strength.”
Closer reported last month that when Abbey was pregnant she told pals she wanted to emulate size 8 model Heidi Klum, who was back on the catwalk within seven weeks of giving birth to her youngest child.
And it seems Abbey’s not the only one happy with her figure, with the model telling pals: “Pete can’t keep his hands off me!”
A friend reveals: “Pete loves the slim, big boobs look and she thinks it’s great when people compliment her in front of him.
“She’s still feeling vulnerable after everything that’s happened and there’s a part of her that wants to look her best so Pete’s eye doesn’t wander in future.
“She hoped everything would get better when Sophia arrived. Pete is doing everything he can to earn her trust, but she’s still terrified of things going wrong.”
Friends reveal the budding TV presenter is even hoping to tone up further for a planned break in Dubai after the wedding.
“She’s amazed at how quickly the weight’s fallen off, but says she has loose skin on her belly she needs to work on.
“Abbey is determined to look fantastic in a bikini.”
By Amy Swales