Chaz Bono is happier than ever since he lost 85lbs.

The transgender son of 'Believe' singer Cher slimmed down from 250lbs by cutting out carbs and dairy from his diet.

Speaking to Extra TV in the US, he said: ''I have cut out 99 per cent of grains from my diet, 99 per cent of dairy from my diet. I pretty much eat vegetables, meat, fruit, nuts ... My birthday is the one day of the year I'll do cake.''

Chaz enlisted help to devise his new lifestyle, adding: ''They hooked me up with a nutritionist, a doctor and exercise plan.''

The author added once he'd lost the weight, he had to have surgery to remove the excess skin, which was ''a tough process. It's not fun, but worth it because I look better now.

''I feel really good. I feel healthier. I feel lighter. I feel more confident, and I feel really happy.''

Chaz, 44, also admitted he was ''in denial'' about being overweight before he competed on 'Dancing With the Stars' in 2011.

He added: ''I was kind of in denial about how heavy I was, but was ready to do something about it. I was thinking that it was holding me back from opportunities in my life, and I was worried about my health.''