By VICTORIA KENNEDY IN a world obsessed by skinny celebs, Claire Sweeney is one woman who's not afraid to admit that she has curves. And the former Brookside babe and Chicago star has to work hard to make sure she doesn't put too much weight on her thighs.

ACTRESS Claire Sweeney helped Virgin Atlantic kick off a daily service from Heathrow to Chicago yesterday. The star wore an outfit from hit West End musical Chicago, which she has starred in.

WITH her cheery smile and laughing blue eyes, Claire Sweeney is a familiar face to most of us. But while we are used to seeing lots of the Liverpool star on our television screens, there's now less of her in the flesh.

Aled jones is hoping to win the ultimate Strictly Come Dancing battle tonight - with a samba version of his childhood hit Walking in the Air. The former boy soprano, along with other celebrities from the first two series of the popular BBC show, is taking to the dance floor for the Christmas special.