ITVIt never fails to amaze me how some people have the time and motivation to scrutinise the physical appearance of others.
And yet such apparently bored individuals never seem to have the time to say, learn another language or commit themselves to a charitable cause. Interesting.
Sadly, no matter how funny or relatable a person may come across on TV, their body is still seen as fair game for cruel and damaging comments.
Gogglebox royalty Scarlett Moffatt appeared on Love Island: Aftersun to chat about the goings on in the villa. However, some people just couldn’t stop making personal remarks about her figure.
Not sure why everyone thinks Scarlett Moffatt’s body is their business? Twitter is preaching mental health one minute and launching vile comments left, right and centre the next? Anybody considered the fact that she might actually be happy the way she is? #Aftersun #LoveIsland
— Karly (@Karlyjadex) July 29, 2018
Aftersun has only been on for 15 minutes and the comments about Scarlett Moffatt already on here are appalling. But yes, let’s all continue to pretend we care about mental health and bullying. Jesus Christ #LoveIsland
— alyse (@alysegoody) July 29, 2018
27-year-old Scarlett experienced the sort of wardrobe malfunction all girls have suffered at some point on a night out, where the front of your bra is a bit visible in a low cut dress.
Coupled with jibes about her weight, trolls used this minor slip to torment the likeable presenter, reducing her to tears.
Taking to Twitter, the former Queen of the Jungle tweeted:
I’m honestly ashamed of some people on here.
Hard to pretend I’m ok and be a good role model to others about how it’s ok to just you when the comments from grown adults on here have resulted in me crying my eyes out! I hope you’re very proud of yourselves.
She proceeded to touch on the issue of social anxiety:
No wonder the amount of people including myself with social anxiety is increasing. Feel like I can’t even film tv shows without hating the way that I look after – from constantly being attacked because of my size and my appearance!
I’m honestly ashamed of some people on here. Hard to pretend I’m ok and be a good role model to others about how it’s ok to just you when the comments from grown adults on here have resulted in me crying my eyes out! I hope you’re very proud of yourselves
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) July 29, 2018
No wonder the amount of people including myself with social anxiety is increasing. Feel like I can’t even film tv shows without hating the way that I look after – from constantly being attacked because of my size and my appearance!
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) July 29, 2018
scarlett_moffatt/InstagramScarlett continued to speak about the need to stand up for those who are lacking in body confidence:
Feel like I need to speak out for others!! This is not fair this needs to stop!! Please to the people out there who aren’t loving themselves right now please don’t let other people stop you from doing what you love. Real beauty shines from within.
She later added:
I wanted and felt like I had to write that tweet to let you know at the end of the day I’m a 27 year old girl with feelings & a family who get upset also when they see vile comments about my appearance. Something needs to change with our society!!
Feel like I need to speak out for others!! This is not fair this needs to stop!! Please to the people out there who aren’t loving themselves right now please don’t let other people stop you from doing what you love. Real beauty shines from within ❤️
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) July 29, 2018
I wanted and felt like I had to write that tweet to let you know at the end of the day I’m a 27 year old girl with feelings & a family who get upset also when they see vile comments about my appearance. Something needs to change with our society!!
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) July 29, 2018
True fans have rushed to Scarlett’s defence, with many pointing out the hypocrisy of those who preach about mental health while continuing to bully others. Others shared their own experiences of online harassment.
Lingerie model Rhian Sugden tweeted:
People are disgusting! I’ve had death threats all weekend for something I wasn’t even responsible for!? Society has gone mad. Shut down the internet.
One fan remarked:
You’ve gone from sitting in your chair watching your idols on Gogglebox to winning the jungle to appearing on Saturday night takeaway and being an idol yourself.
These people won’t have that in their lifetime. I think you are brilliant and fabulous.
Scarlett_Moffatt/InstagramPeople are disgusting! I've had death threats all weekend for something I wasn't even responsible for!? Society has gone mad. Shut down the internet ?
— Rhian Sugden (@Rhianmarie) July 30, 2018
In the business there will be haters borne mostly out of jealousy- it’s hard to accept but your mind is letting them win-think about what they are losers and keyboard cowards- it used to be alcohol that turned cowards into hard men or women now its a keyboard- don’t let them win
— Tom Ross (@thegoalzone) July 30, 2018
As a 41 year old woman, 2 years into a paralysed face and nasty comments made daily In my direction – my advice to you beautiful is – shine on, people who think it's OK to rip people apart are obviously perfect themselves – we all know that's not true!
Glass houses sweetheart xx— Lisa (@Lisa16764017) July 30, 2018
You are a gorgeous young Lady inside & out!!! It was a pleasure to meet you! Young girls look up to you & a few older ones too! ❤️
— Vicky Entwistle (@VickyEntwistle) July 30, 2018
Omg I would have never thought that.
I think you were the best thing on goggle box ever.
An don’t tell anyone but I cried when you won “l’m a celebrity”
You & your lot are proper mint.
Anyone picking on you is a tw*t— Christopher Riley (@rubb3rsoul1972) July 29, 2018
You've gone from sitting in your chair watching your idols on Gogglebox to winning the jungle to appearing on Saturday night takeaway and being an idol yourself. These people won't have that in their lifetime. I think you are brilliant and fabulous.
— Keith Savill (@jimsav23250) July 30, 2018
Liam Preston, Head of YMCA’s Be Real Campaign told UNILAD:
We often talk about the harmful effects of advertising campaigns on how people feel about their bodies. However, a single comment or sarcastic remark can be just as damaging to someone’s health.
YMCA’s research found that more than half of 11 to 16-year-olds have been bullied about their appearance and for those that were bullied a quarter experienced this online.
Social media should not be a playground for bullies and trolls to entertain themselves. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram aren’t doing enough to stop it which means it’s down to the rest of us to challenge bullying when we see it.
Hopefully Scarlett’s honesty will hit home with least some trolls, forcing them to think twice about the person they are hurting before commenting.
If you’ve been affected by bullying, and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Bullying UK (Part of Family Lives) on 0808 800 2222. The helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.