Comedienne Kathy Griffin was once so paranoid about her looks she resorted to illegal drugs to lose weight.

The Emmy Award-winning funnywoman went under the knife at the age of 26 to reshape her nose, but the operation failed to cure her low self-esteem and she found herself popping speed pills in a desperate bid to shed some pounds.

She tells People.com, "I was told repeatedly, 'You would be pretty if it weren't for that nose. You'd work more if it weren't for that nose. I was young and impressionable and I was told that enough that I started to believe it, so I got a nose job. I am very proud of my two weeks on speed. It was full-on illegal speed. I took it to lose weight, which is not very smart. I just felt three times as hungry afterwards."

She went on to undergo a painful liposuction procedure, which she has regretted ever since. The star admits that now, at the age of 48, she has finally conquered her demons - and has gained a bikini body through the tried and tested method of a low-fat eating plan and plenty of work-outs.

She adds, "I actually got into fairly good shape from yawn: diet and exercise."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)