Ray Quinn opens up about his dramatic transformation following split

Ray Quinn has undergone a drastic physical transformation this year, following his split from wife Emma Stephens - and on Monday made a special appearance on Loose Women to talk about his buffed up new look.Flexing his muscles to cheers and applause from the audience and the panel, 27-year-old Ray sat down for a chat with Ruth Langsford, Katie Price, Coleen Nolan and Jane Moore, who all quizzed him on his motivation to get fit.

Ray Quinn has undergone a dramatic transformation this year

Ray, who split from actress Emma in February, revealed he had been working out for around eight months now, hitting the gym on average five times a week. Asked why he had decided to bulk up, the singer admitted he wanted to make a "change" in his life, and discover a "new me".The star added that he found working out was a way of "directing positivity in my life", and said it had helped with his self-esteem following his separation.

As well as getting fit, Ray has also been concentrating on his music to help him come to terms with the changes in his personal life. The Merseyside-born singer told the ladies that returning to the studio and "writing stuff down on paper" had also given him the chance to reflect - and confirmed the exciting news that he will release a brand new album next year.

© Photo: Rex

Ray and Emma were married for three years before announcing their split

Ray and West End performer Emma were married for three years before announcing their split. The former X Factor star confirmed the news in an official statement, saying: "Unfortunately the speculation is true and Emma and I have regrettably parted ways."Out of respect for the privacy of my family, I don't want to delve into my private life too much, however what I will say is that our lives, after a period of time, have gone down separate paths. "Ray and Emma met on the set of Grease in 2008, and got engaged in 2010. Just over two years later, the tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Barbados on 31 March 2012. They welcomed their son, Harry Frank Quinn, on 2 August that same year.