Loose Women is at the centre of a fat-shaming storm after comments by Gloria Hunniford sparked outrage from viewers.
The 83-year old’s comments on Monday (January 29) were deemed “unacceptable” by some who slammed her view that US chat show host Oprah Winfrey has been overweight. Alongside fellow panelists Ruth Langsford, Olivia Attwood and Linda Robson on the ITV daytime show, Gloria opened up on Oprah’s 70th birthday celebrations (also Monday) – and soon found herself in hot water.
Suggesting Oprah looks better now she’s thinner, Gloria said: “Oprah fluctuates a lot. Sometimes she’s very overweight and now she looks great. She’s very, very thin.” Whilst her co-stars fell short of offering a response, fans of the programme quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their views.
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One user commented: “Very telling of Gloria’s priorities that this is the first thing which comes to mind when she thinks of Oprah.”
(Image: ITV)
Another wrote: “Gloria essentially saying that women are only beautiful and accomplished if they’re very very thin, very telling that it’s her first thought when discussing Oprah. This show is toxic and should be binned #LooseWomen.”
A third agreed: “Gloria’s comments about Oprah’s weight as usual were unacceptable and off topic, she’s just awful. Get her off.” And a fourth cursed: “Gloria is AWFUL!! Majorly Overweight… Why even make that comment!!”
(Image: Variety via Getty Images)
It comes after Gloria’s long-time pal Sir Cliff Richard caused a similar controversy on ITV in November last year over comments he made about Elvis Presley. Cliff said on This Morning that he’d turned down the opportunity to meet ‘The King’ in their heyday, owing to his chubby appearance.
Joining Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Cliff – also 83 – discussed his new album and an upcoming book. During the chat he recalled be invited by a journalist to meet his fellow rock ‘n’ roller, only to swiftly undergo a change in heart after he realised Elvis had gained some weight.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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“I had one chance [to meet Elvis] through a journalist when I was promoting Devil Woman in the States,” the Living Doll singer recalled. “He said, ‘Oh I know Elvis’ – because he knew that I was influenced by him.
“At the end of the interview though, I said – ‘Can we put it off?’ – because he had put on a lot of weight. And I thought if I’m having a photograph taken with him – and it’s gonna be hanging on my refrigerator – he’s gotta look good.”
Unlike the Loose ladies, however, presenter Alison Hammond spoke up, joking: “Is that why you don’t want me at your house?”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
