Adrian Chiles has claimed he is regularly described as "ugly" and insulted for his looks in a comment piece discussing how it feels to be considered "that ugly bloke off the telly".
The British TV presenter said he is regularly told he is unattractive by members of the public who feel comfortable sharing their views on his looks so explicitly because he is male.
Writing in The Telegraph, the 48-year-old recalled inadvertently hearing someone refer to him as that “fat, ugly brummie" during his final year of university, an insult that prepared him for the scrutiny his appearance would continue to be under for the rest of his adult life.
His foray into television was marked by more remarks about his appearance from people he said would be unlikely to say the same things to a woman directly.
“From the beginning it was taken as read – and frequently said – that I wasn’t much to look at and that I was there despite my looks (and my accent).” he wrote. “Don’t get me wrong: you’re a lot better off in TV being an ordinary looking bloke than an ordinary looking woman. But if you do get on as a bloke who looks like me, people seem to feel they can point out your ugliness with impunity.
“Consider how often it is said, casually and without much malice, to a bloke that he’s not much to look at. Since I’ve started doing radio again I’ve lost count how many people have said to me variations upon the theme of “well, you’ve got a face for radio, after all.” Fine. No problem. No offence taken or, I suspect, really intended. But you couldn’t imagine the same being said to a woman.”
Chiles said the only heartening aspect being remarks from some that he isn't as "ugly" in real life. His biggest concern was how to have a proper debate on the issue, "because nobody wants to be the card-carrying ugly person, who speaks up on behalf of fellow ugly people".
However, he also stressed that in world where having an aesthetically pleasing face and body is a bonus, women are affected the most. "Which is why I think it matters less if poor chaps like me get more stick, be it gentle or vicious." he added.
