Holly Willoughby in 'utter shock' after being fat-shamed as young model

Holly Willoughby has told how being fat-shamed when she was a teenager made her turn away from her budding modelling career.

The TV star had started pursuing a career in the industry after being spotted by an agent but said she was left in “utter shock” when someone commented on her weight, even though she was “tiny”.

Writing in her book Reflections, the This Morning presenter said she had already had some modelling work in London then went travelling in Australia and met up with an agent there.

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The Daily Mail quoted her as saying: “Afterwards, I spoke to my London agency to see what she'd said, and the comment I got back was, 'We'll put her weight down to healthy eating while travelling.'

“I just thought, ‘Wow’. I could look in the mirror and see what I was, 17 and tiny... so to hear a comment like that was a complete and utter shock.”

Willoughby, 40, said she had always thought the industry was the “most beautiful place”.

However, the experience gave her a look at the “brutal” and “ugly” side.

She then decided that modelling was not a good fit for her and started to focus on television.

Once she had returned from travelling, the 19-year-old tried out for the programme S Club TV and got the job.

She went on to land presenting slots on shows including CBBC At The Fame Academy and CD:UK.

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The star is now well-known for hosting programmes such as This Morning and Dancing On Ice.

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