A body, believed to be Dowds, 42, was found at the bottom of the cliffs in Eastbourne on Sunday after witnesses said they had seen a woman falling from the top.

Sussex police confirmed the body of a 42-year-old woman was found by coastguards.

Davina McCall has led tributes to Dowds, who appeared with her and personal trainer Richard Callender on the ITV weight-loss show The Biggest Loser since 2005.

A tweet from Davina’s official Twitter account said: “Rest in peace Angie Dowds @angechops. So so sad.”

Callender tweeted: “R.I.P Angie @angechops Dowds. You helped inspire & educate millions with both a growl n a smile. You’ll be missed.”

Dowds’ younger sister Natalie posted a tribute on the TV guru’s Facebook page that said: “My big sis rest with the angels rip xxxxx.”

Dowds, who won Personal Trainer of the Year Great Britain in 2006, reportedly split with her long-term girlfriend Corrie Preece earlier this year and has previously overcome a battle with drink and drugs.

Dowds was born in Canada but moved to the UK with her mother when she was four.

A police spokesman said: “Just after 4.30pm on Sunday November 20, members of the public reported that a woman was seen to jump or fall from the top of cliffs at Beachy Head.

“Coastguards found the body of a woman at the foot of the cliffs about an hour later.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and it is believed that the body may be that of a 42-year-old woman from London.”

The woman will be formally identified later today.