Discover how Gok and his How To Look Good Naked team helped three women regain their confidence, their figure and ultimately their passion for life.

Nicki Denbeigh, 36, from Bedfordshire. Following a relationship break-up two years ago, Nicki's confidence was at an all-time low. Tired of seeing their once bright and bubbly friend walking around with her head down, Nicki's pals decided it was time she got Gokked!

What do you think made your friends decide to put you forward for How To Look Good Naked?
'I'd split up with a boyfriend two years previously and had little confidence, so I definitely needed a boost. My self-esteem was really low and I didn't like anything about my body, particularly my tummy. I hated looking in the mirror, I thought I was overweight and fat, and I became obsessed with comparing myself to other women.

'Everyone knows I've got a bubbly personality - that's never been an issue - but the way I felt about my looks was really bad. I used to be confident about my legs but I soon stopped wearing skirts and constantly wore trousers. On a night out, I'd think that no man would want to look at me or talk to me.'

Could you explain the process from first being nominated to being picked to appear on the show? 'When my friends applied on my behalf they didn't tell me anything about it, so when I got a phone call I was completely surprised!

'A researcher called and we spoke about how I felt, and then I had a pilot test at home - with an interview on short film, which I found hard. Being in my underwear in front of camera was particularly terrifying.

'When I found out I'd been selected, I was really shocked and excited. I wanted to learn to love myself and accept who I am. My friends and family were all really supportive and encouraging. Their advice was to go for it and enjoy it because you only live once. I wanted to feel better about myself generally, and to gain some confidence in order to move forward with my life.'

What were the highs, lows and standout moments of your time on the show?
'I found the whole thing pretty hard until the final day when the reveal and the catwalk took place. It was then that the whole experience finally began to sink in.
'At the beginning, I met Gok at a studio in London - the same day I faced the 360? full-length mirror.

I was surprised to see him, and when we got chatting I really felt Gok warm to me and feel my emotion.

'I didn't own a full-length mirror at that time, so standing in front of one with Gok was terrifying. And with the camera there, there was absolutely no escape.
'When I saw the line-up of four women in their underwear, and I was told to position myself where I thought I was in comparison to their shapes and sizes, I was shocked at just how wrong I got it.

'I hated seeing my photographs in the Naked News page. It took place outside The Tate Gallery in London and I felt like everyone was staring at those images of me. It made me feel very exposed. The public response, though, was so lovely. I found the women more positive than the men. It was hard to take everyone's compliments on board. But when talking to some of the women, it made me realise that I wasn't alone with my body hang-ups, and our thoughts about how the media influence women's body perceptions were similar.

'I had a pole dancing lesson to help me learn how to feel sexy - which I hadn't felt before. I felt sick with emotion, it was very draining and scary but the lady who taught me, made me feel at ease. She taught me a particularly valuable lesson - that being attractive is also about having confidence. And she told me to walk with my head held high.

'The final thing I had to do before walking down the catwalk was the naked window display. I must admit I was absolutely terrified. It was a complete surprise when they told me about it. I was shaking - it was the first time I had been naked in front of someone, let alone a small gathering, for ages. Gok gave me reassurance because I was scared people might boo or reject me. Getting naked was really daunting.

'Seeing myself at the big reveal in the mirror was the most shocking experience - I looked like the person I'd always dreamt of being. The response I got walking down the catwalk was unbelievable and really positive. It made me feel fantastic.

'My friends and family were thrilled when they saw me after the makeover - some commented that they could see the Nicki they've seen forever. They were proud and said I was very brave. It was great to see my dad there, who has been seriously ill for a long time. To see his and my mum's faces as I walked back down the catwalk meant the world to me. 

How did the experience leave you feeling on the final day - and long-term afterwards? 'I was on a complete high immediately afterwards, even though I didn't
go naked, especially with all the attention that I received.

'I've since learnt to love parts of my body and not just to focus on my tummy. And I don't compare myself to other women anywhere near as much anymore.
'Since leaving the show, I've continued to remain confident and to hold my head up high every day. I've learnt to accept the way I am and to keep positive.

Rachel Richardson, 40, from South Yorkshire. Feeling down about aspects of her life, theatre nurse Rachel needed a helping hand from Gok, to get some passion and positivity back in her life.

'I applied for the Channel 4 show How To Look Good Naked because I wasn't very well. I had abdominal problems, I'd put weight on and I felt fed up. I was miserable, and thought I was too fat and ugly. I'd also stopped smoking, so as a result had put even more weight on. I watched the show religiously, and it used to make me cry.

'Before I went on the show, I couldn't look at myself. My self-esteem was at rock bottom, and I hated all of my body - in particular my belly. I was really low and didn't want to go out or do anything. Work was like an escape for me - I could hide my body underneath my theatre scrubs uniform and I stopped going clothes shopping - the only clothes I owned were two pairs of jeans and a black top. It was pretty grim.

'My partner, Adrian, and son, Olliver, now 11, were getting fed up with me so Adrian suggested I apply to be a contestant - even downloading the application form for me. Olliver helped me fill it in, helped me with the photos and then helped me post the form - he wanted it to stand out from the rest so wrapped it with shiny paper. I got a telephone call from Gok's team the following day! 

Rachel's journey
'Meeting Gok was amazing - he's so clever at what he does. We met at the 360? mirror and I sobbed on him for about half an hour! He knows what to say and what to do, and totally understands women. I felt so sure around him. He literally saved me. Anyone feeling low needs a few hours with Gok!

'When I was stood in front of the full-length mirror, I felt horrible - I saw nothing positive. But it made me address myself. Next I was surprised with a line-up of size 14 models in nurse uniforms, I was so shocked. I honestly didn't see myself in that category, I thought I was bigger.

'I have a passion for cars, so when I saw the big four-wheel drive approaching, I was excited. But when I saw my pictures on the exterior - of me in my worst underwear, I was so embarrassed.

I had to drive this car to work! I tried to cover them up at first, it was horrendous. I was mortified. But the turning point for me came at the end of the filming day, when after three and a half hours with the car, I said 'I don't actually look that bad' and I couldn't believe those words came out of my mouth! I felt uplifted.

'The first big challenge was the naked window display. I looked confident on the show, but in reality I wasn't. I'm not actually sure how I went through with that! 
'Shopping with Gok was marvelous. When I was given the first outfit (denim jeans, a jacket, a striped top and high heels plus a big red bag that has since become my trademark), I actually cried. Initially, I disliked the pink dress that he picked out for me, but I've since worn it a few times - I even wore it on a cruise recently.  
'Before walking down the catwalk at the end of my experience, I felt very nervous - more so because my dad was in the audience, but at the end my dad was on his feet clapping.

'The reaction from friends and family when they saw me after the makeover was absolutely marvelous. My mum was crying - she'd never seen the show before but was won over by it. I even proposed to Adrian on the catwalk, and everyone I know left with a feel-good factor that day.

The aftermath
'I was walking on air for six weeks after the show, and still am a bit now! Since finishing, I think I've got
a better idea of how to dress for my body size; I'm more open and honest now, and see things how they really are. I sometimes find that people now come to me for advice, too. I've discovered a new love for my body and even went swimming in a bikini on holiday. I feel so different - I've lost 18lb, and plan to lose another 18lb but in my own time.

'Week by week my confidence gets better. I'm so pleased I went on the show - it saved my life!'

Kelly Chamberlain, 33, from Kent. After tackling breast cancer, and undergoing a mastectomy, Kelly applied for the show in the hope of regaining her identity, happiness and zest for life, as well as for some guidance dressing for her new body shape.

'I applied for the show because I was desperate. I was watching daytime television, feeling sorry for myself after my mastectomy, and when a repeat of How To Look Good Naked came on, I realised that's what I needed. So I applied online and found being able to express myself on the application form quite therapeutic.
'Two years ago, I found a lump while in the shower and went to get it checked out straight away. I was diagnosed with aggressive grade three breast cancer. It was a complete shock.I was devastated, words cannot explain how I felt. I knew life would never be the same.

'I had a mastectomy and underwent a course of chemotherapy. When I looked in the mirror after all the surgery and treatment, I didn't recognise the person staring back.

My hair had fallen out; my teeth were brown, and my skin dry. I lost the sense of who I was, and my body was affected in every way. The emotional impact was far more difficult than the physical symptoms. I didn't know who I was anymore.

'I wanted my long locks back - but when my hair started to grow back I didn't like it. It grew back thicker and darker. I didn't feel like it was mine and I hated it. I'd lost my identity.

'It also affected my daily life - I didn't want to go out. I was worried about what other people would think of me, believed they might consider me a freak. I was embarrassed about the surgery I'd had.  

'I wanted to go on the show because I thought that if I felt a tiny bit better about myself, then it would be worth it. I also wanted to learn how to dress my new body. I felt what I had to wear was limited, and I wanted to feel pretty and feminine again.

Kelly's journey
'When I first met Gok, I was quite starstruck. I met him at the 'mirror moment' which was really emotional. This was when the enormity of it all hit me. Standing in front of those 360? mirrors was quite evil - I spoke about how low I felt about my body. It was very difficult and draining.  

'During my makeover, my hair was dyed to a hazelnut brown and I had curly hair extensions which I loved and it immediately changed the way I looked and felt. This had the best impact on the way I felt - hair is a big part of my identity.

'My shopping experience with Gok pushed me out of my comfort zone. Gok picked out a dress that was very low-cut. I felt self-conscious in it but had to wear it all day. I learnt so much from that day, and I've since worn that dress a few times! The swimwear that Gok picked out has changed my life. I've just got back from a holiday with seven other people and wore the red bikini seen on the show - there's no way I'd have gone on a group holiday before the show. I would have felt too self-conscious. When I was first shown the bikini off camera, I cried because I was so overjoyed, and Gok had a tear in his eye, too.

'Before walking down the catwalk I was nervous but also excited. When my friends and family saw me after the makeover, they cried.

The aftermath
'I feel my confidence has come on in leaps and bounds, and the show has been truly life changing. I put my wedding plans on hold before applying because I didn't feel attractive. But now it's booked for November of this year. I still have some issues with my body but I'm getting there. Going on the show is the best thing I've ever done. I have absolutely no regrets.

'I really hope the show has raised awareness about breast cancer in my age group. For more information visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk
 

Written By Carly Rigley
First Published in At Home with Gok Wan, October 2008