HYPNOTIST Chris Hughes will be seen working his magic on television screens next week when he tries to help a former pop star beat the bulge.

The hypnotherapist will be seen trying to help former Steps singer Claire Richards lose weight on her new documentary Slave to Food.

Married with two small daughters – Jessica, two and Holly, one – Mr Hughes, 36, has a successful hypnotherapy practice in Banbury, helping people quit smoking, lose weight and conquer phobias.

In the Slave to Food documentary he will be seen hypnotising the now overweight former pop starlet Miss Richards to help her improve her confidence and attitude to food.

He said: “I was approached to do the show by its researchers. They were searching the internet for a fairly high-profile hypnotist and said Claire had a big interest in hypnosis and wanted to give it a go.

“I have no idea whether I helped her – only time will tell, but she was lovely, very down to earth with a great sense of humour.”

Mr Hughes, from Banbury, is no stranger to publicity.

In January last year he announced plans to set a new world record for the largest hypnosis session, putting thousands of people “under” and convincing them their hands and eyes were locked tight.

However the session was halted at the last moment after lawyers advised it would leave him open to claims from people injured while in the trance.

Undeterred, he promptly recorded the session – and it has so far been downloaded over 100,000 times.

He said: “I am planning to do the Socialtrance event again next year, on January 4, but this time completely live.

“Plus I’ve got some more TV work planned for later this year. It’s about phobias, but I can’t reveal any more.

“It’s all very exciting,” he added.

“I am hoping to use television to help educate and remove all the misconceptions about hypnosis.

Slave to Food will be shown Sky Living on Wednesday.