A CHILDREN’S entertainer has enjoyed a holiday of a lifetime in the Caribbean – designed to encourage guests to embrace their bodies.

Pete Aubery was among the stars on television programme The Big Body Hotel, which saw a group of plus-sized guests venture to Antigua.

Rather than a bootcamp or a programme designed to encourage the holidaymakers to lose weight, Pete and his fellow guests were encouraged to enjoy their holiday in the specially adapted Catamaran Hotel at the island’s Falmouth Harbour.

Pete, 44, told the Courier: “I think a big part of the show was to teach me, getting coaching and group sessions to help us accept ourselves for who we are.

“In society, you look at what is attractive and you are bombarded with pictures of size zero models or Hollywood actors.

“They are all attractive in their own right but society portrays people [who are] plus size as unattractive, be that through the media or learned beliefs.

“It is a fact of our society.

“Just because I am fat does not mean I don’t have feelings and that is something I needed to accept about myself.”

East Lothian Courier: Pete Aubrey has enjoyed a life-changing holiday. The Big Body Hotel is available to stream now on discovery+

Pete, who has lived in Tranent for three years, jumped at the chance of the all-expenses-paid holiday on the Caribbean island after being alerted to the opportunity by a friend.

Initially, he was wary of the show being set up “to see what it is like putting fat people on holiday”.

However, once his fears were calmed, he made the trip within a matter of weeks, enjoying seven days in Antigua.

He said: “The hotel is one of only two in the world that is specifically designed for plus-size people or specifically adapted for plus-size people.

“Both are owned by Jim King and his wife Karin, who are amazing people.”

Pete, who previously lived in Haddington for more than 15 years, recalled going on holiday to Portugal with friends.

He said: “I exploded some sun loungers, I was breaking chairs, I broke the bed.

“These are experiences I have in everyday life.

“At my heaviest, I was topping 34 or 35 stone. I have lost weight and I am now down to around 23 stone and still have a bit to go.

“But I have lost quite a bit.”

Pete, who also worked as a quizmaster having hosted quizzes at Tranent’s Tower Inn and The Green in Haddington, sat down to watch the programme, which was broadcast on digital channel Discovery Plus earlier this month.

And he was pleased to say the response had been incredible, with “literally hundreds” of people getting in touch to offer support.

Pete added: “I talk about suicide in the episode.

“Being the size I am, I have been suicidal in the past.

“That is one of the reasons I’m talking about it and it is really important to get the message out there. I was so alone and so dark with my feelings and how I felt.

“I reached out to somebody and I got lucky that someone listened and helped me.

I spoke about it on the show and it affected a lot of people.”

Now, Pete is counting down the days until his next holiday.

He said: “I cannot wait until my next holiday – taps aff!”

To view the programme, go to discoveryplus.co.uk/show/the-big-body-hotel