Kellie Maloney says swimwear shoot gave her confidence

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Former boxing promoter Kellie Maloney has appeared in a swimwear photoshoot
Kellie Maloney says swimwear shoot gave her confidence

The shoot, for Now Magazine, has Ms Maloney in fetching yellow bathing suit, as she promotes her new autobiography ā€œFrankly Kellieā€, which discusses her transition.

She told the magazine: ā€˜Itā€™s overwhelming. Iā€™ve never seen myself like this before.

ā€œIā€™m going on my first holiday as Kellie soon, to Malta, and I thought Iā€™d spend it all hidden away, but itā€™s really given me confidence.

ā€œI wonā€™t have any fear going on the beach now, but I want to lose some weight.

ā€œI havenā€™t been able to exercise since my bottom surgery, so Iā€™ve put on around 10lb. Iā€™d love a body like Lauren Goodgerā€™s she looks amazing.ā€

Ms Maloney previously stood as UKIP candidate for London mayor, but has recently started to fall out favour with the party.

She said it began when leader Nigel Farage made jokes about her transition.

ā€œHe made a couple of jokes about my transition but I made allowance, and I said all I want him and his party to do is understand and show sympathy to the LGBT community.

ā€œBut then I was told about a new UKIP manifesto where they believe that a Christian family with a business could turn away gay custom, so I had to make a statement against them.ā€