Stars rally round Tilly Ramsay over body shaming comments

Stars including John Whaite, Ugo Monye, Dr Alex George, Giovanna Fletcher and Jason Manford have thrown their support behind Strictly Come Dancing star Tilly Ramsay after she was targeted with vile body shaming comments by radio presenter Steve Allen.

The TV star and daughter of Gordon Ramsay is currently a regular at the top of the Strictly leaderboard with dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, but on Wednesday LBC Radio's Steve Allen shocked listeners with unkind comments about the 19-year-old's appearance.

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Allen, 67, said: “She can’t blooming well dance. I’m bored of her already. She’s a chubby little thing, isn’t she, have you noticed? Probably her dad’s cooking, I should imagine."

But many of Ramsay's Strictly co-stars, as well as other famous supporters, have spoken out against the cruel remarks.

Rugby star Monye, competing with Oti Mabuse, tweeted: "The fact that @steveallenshow said what he said on LBC isn’t the only issue here IMO. The wider societal problem here is that people feel comfortable enough to scrutinise the appearance of a young woman on national radio - why is it relevant?"

Ex-Bake Off winner Whaite, making Strictly history as the first all-male couple with Johannes Radebe, commented on Ramsay's Instagram where she had addressed the insults: "He’s a piece of old sandpaper love, worn and used and has nothing to offer the world. And his vicious scratching has only left you polished and more fabulous."

Comedian Jason Manford tweeted: "I see that bitter old p**** is trying to stay relevant again, this time by criticising a teenage girl’s body on his s*** radio show.

"I’d love to see Tilly’s dad rock up at LBC and give this troll the tongue lashing he deserves. Awful man, terrible outdated broadcaster."

Former Strictly contestant Jason Donovan commented to Manford "Well said", while Strictly pros including Oti Mabuse, Dianne Buswell and Janette Manrara, as well as former contestant Saffron Barker, added their support to Ramsay's Instagram post.

Ramsay's fellow contestant Judi Love wrote: "Omggg I am fuming!!! How dare he come for you!! You are so beautiful, as a person with a dam gorgeous body!!"

Dr Alex George, a former Love Island contestant and passionate mental health campaigner, shared his complaint to LBC.

In it, he wrote: "I am absolutely horrified by these remarks. It is widely recognised just how damaging such comments about someone’s weight are and the effect they can have on an individual’s mental health.

"We must not only think of the effect on Tilly here, which I can imagine could be significant, but also the potential impact to listeners of the show."

He also wrote to Tilly: "This is absolutely disgraceful. No one should take cheap shots about someone’s weight. No one has the right to comment on your body Tilly. You are a beautiful, kind, talented, courageous and warm person @tillyramsay.

"DO NOT change or listen to horrible people like this. Fair play to you for being so brave and standing up to bullies."

Giovanna Fletcher, whose husband Tom is also competing in this year's Strictly, commented: "I just gasped so loudly at his comments. There are many words to use for him, however he is irrelevant and not worth it. YOU are sunshine. YOU are welcoming, bubbly, fun, kind, sweet, and endearing. YOU are beautiful from your head to your toes and the inside out. Keep doing you! Xxxx"

In her own comments on the abuse, Ramsay posted on Instagram: “I try not to read and listen to comments and negativity.

“However, recently being called out on a national radio station by a 67-year-old man is a step too far.

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“Steve please feel free to voice your opinions, however I draw the line at commenting on my appearance. It’s such a shame that someone is trying to make such a positive experience negative.

“This isn’t the first and definitely won’t be the last comment made about my appearance. But please remember that words can hurt and at the end of the day I am only 19.

“I understand that being in the public eye obviously comes with its own repercussions and I’ve been aware of this from a young age.

"However, I won’t tolerate people that think it’s OK to publicly comment and scrutinise anyone’s weight and appearance.”

Watch: Who is Strictly's Tilly Ramsay?