Fearne Cotton lashes out when trolls embarrass her for mini dress selfie

Fearne Cotton has attacked cruel online trolls who said she looked “too skinny” after sharing a selfie online.

The 41-year-old TV presenter, who battled bulimia for 10 years in her 20s, was the victim of body shaming after she posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of herself in a black mini dress that exposed her legs. long legs.

Fearne hit back at critics after raising concern in the mirror selfie, with some commenting that she appeared to be underweight.

She responded, “Sometimes I think I can’t be an idiot to respond to the incredible amount of noise in here, but when it comes to judging bodies, I feel like something has to be said.”

‘Online arguments or discussions about what bodies look like (see my last post) are not helpful.

“If we are judging other people’s bodies or making accusations, we are pushing a narrative that women have to look a certain way to be accepted. This kind of attention is never directed at men.

‘No matter what my size, pregnant or otherwise, I have bony knees and spindly ankles.

‘I’ve always held my weight around my stomach. It is different for everyone. But I’m also not sure why I’m defending myself here.

“Having been a bulimic in my twenties, I am more sensitive to these types of discussions as I have worked hard to heal, recover and get to a place where I love food, like to get energy and pleasure, exercise to give my strength I am now in my forties and am very grateful for my health.

“I am in no way personally upset or offended as I have been through much worse, but I will continue to fight for ALL women for the rest of my life.”

I am much more than what my body appears to be, as are ALL women. Peace and love.’

Fearne previously said her 10-year battle with bulimia was triggered by self-hatred and negative body image after the presenter deluded herself into believing she was “too broad”.

The popular television and radio personality battled bulimia throughout her twenties before finally overcoming the eating disorder after her marriage to musician Jesse Wood and the subsequent birth of their children.

Speaking about her battle with the condition in November, Fearne admitted she was prompted to raise the issue after reading online discussions about the return of ‘Heroin Chic’, a term popularized in the early ’90s and commonly used to describe fashion models. fashion with pale skin and emaciated features.

Taking to Instagram at the time, she wrote: “Sometimes I think tons of different voices weighing in on an issue is too loud, but having had a lot of body image issues over the years, I feel compelled to continue a debate. healthy”.

‘I was bulimic for ten years, which was part self-hatred and part control.

‘I still feel uncomfortable bringing it up, only fueled by the knowledge that many are dealing with it now and may feel they will never break the cycle.

‘My message is… if I can, you can. It is absolutely possible. Be kind to yourself and know that you can heal.

The presenter was a household name throughout her twenties, during which time she hosted major shows like Top Of The Pops and The Xtra Factor.

But behind the scenes, she admits to being paralyzed by low self-esteem and often using food as a coping mechanism.

She added: ‘I bring this up because part of my self-loathing came from feeling physically ‘wrong’.

‘Too wide, too boxy, too squidgy in areas because of the images that were ubiquitous when I was growing up.

‘I was unknowingly applying everything I was drinking to my own worth. I can still activate like this today, but I have healed a lot to feel stronger.

The female body has been discussed and obsessed over for a long time and the thing to remember is to never shame any physical body.

‘Naturally, there will be very skinny women who don’t want the abuse or assumptions around their bodies as well.

‘There are women in the disability community who don’t want to explain themselves or be pitied.

“There are women who feel shame and hate for their physical body who need support and love. All bodies are damn miraculous and beautiful.

If you have problems with bulimia nervosa or any other eating disorder, call Beat Eating Disorders free on 0808 801 0677 or email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.