‘Mum didn’t recognise me’ Ex Strictly pro opens up on health issues after being fat-shamed

Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton praised 19-year-old Tilly Ramsay for standing up to LBC presenter Steve Allen, 67, after he branded her a “chubby little thing” and claimed she couldn’t dance on his show this week. Gordon Ramsay’s daughter is currently competing on the BBC show with professional Nikita Kuzmin, 23.

Ex Strictly pro Joanne has revealed she knows all too well just how much such negative comments could affect somebody’s health.

In her twenties, the dancer said she was branded “chubby” which prompted her to be self-conscious about her weight and have an eating disorder.

The 37-year-old said at one point she stopped eating and was “living on 11 espressos a day”.

“It caused me heart palpitations, I had to be in hospital, I was fainting, I had to be put on drips,” she revealed.

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In view of her one million followers, she wrote as part of a lengthy statement: “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.”

She went on to warn that such words could hurt somebody’s feelings and urged people to “be kind”.

Tilly was supported by many other Strictly stars including head judge Shirley Ballas.