Gemma Collins has addressed 'cruel' body-shaming comments following the controversy over a radio presenter's remarks about Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tilly Ramsay.
The TOWIE icon spoke about her own challenges with online abuse about her body over the past the 10 years as she showed her support for the 19-year-old CBBC star.
Gemma, 40, looked super-glam as she posed in a hot pink bikini as she addressed the row on her Instagram.
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LBC DJ Steve Allen, 67, called Tilly a "chubby little thing" on his morning show on Wednesday, leaving celebrity followers and Strictly Come Dancing co-stars furious.
Tilly, the daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay who is competing in the BBC One dance competition with Nikita Kuzmin, said "being called out on a national radio station by a 67-year-old man is a step too far."
Steve said about her: "Tilly Ramsay is on Celebrity MasterChef Australia, is she? Well she can't blooming well dance, I'm bored with her already.
"She's a chubby little thing, isn't she? Have you noticed? Probably her dad's cooking I should imagine."
Gemma hit back while saying the row brought back painful memories for her.
"I’ve had a few people this past week month ten years in spotlight be rude to me about me …
"Firstly I’m sorry my bright light reminds you of how miserable you are and secondly Y’all need to all remember who the F I IS a Romford girl that’s smashed it on so many levels." she wrote.
"I was so upset about the targeting of @tillyramsay and then I got attached to the story because of someone being cruel about me and do you know what guys it does upset you when it gets brought to light all day yesterday it was covered … is the radio station going to deal with this?"
Urging supporters to get behind Till this weekend she said: "Everyone vote this weekend and get behind @tillyramsay what’s gone on is disgusting unless you can match what I’ve achieved don’t even bother ... having to relive the cruel comments yesterday really has got my day off to a vunerable start but don’t worry I'll get up and at them today do my work and do it for everyone who puts up with any sort of c**p in their life ! X"
And she added: "I never been given anything I didn’t come from a rich family everything I got I GOT IT I PAID for it I made my own life though hard work RESPECT."
One follower applauded: "Girl power, nice to see the GC supporting Tilly - let’s lift each other up, be kind, it costs nothing."
And another fan said: "You inspire me to embrace my curves."
