Tilly Ramsay: Senior MPs condemn radio presenter Steve Allen for calling Strictly star 'chubby'
A former Strictly star and a health minister have stepped in to call out radio presenter Steve Allen on his negative comments about Tilly Ramsay's body, ITV News Correspondent Rebecca Barry reports
Radio presenter Steve Allen, who has been criticised for calling Strictly Come Dancing star Tilly Ramsay a "chubby little thing", has now been told to apologise by senior MPs for his "rude" and "ill-chosen language".
Tory minister Ed Argar and Labour shadow minister Jo Stevens both condemned Mr Allen's comments, telling ITV News people should consider what they say, as words have impacts and consequences.
Ms Stevens said: "It's just rude isn't it - why would you say that? Why would a 67-year-old man say that to a young woman?"
"A, it's rude," she added, "and b, it has an impact on people and I suppose it's a lesson in how we need to be careful about our language and this is about being respectful as well as thinking about the consequences of what we say - so I hope he'll apologise."
Mr Argar said: "I don't think that's sensible or appropriate language... I just encourage everyone to be mindful [of how words can hurt] and try to be careful in their choice of language, which can have consequences."
The politicians were reacting after the LBC radio presenter described Gordon Ramsay's daughter as a "chubby little thing" live on air.
The 19-year-old was praised for hitting back at Mr Allen after she told the 67-year-old she "won't tolerate" public comments on people's weight and appearance.
Tilly, who presents CBBC's Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch told her followers in an Instagram post that she tries not to read or listen to comments or negativity.
The teenager went on to say, however, that being called out on a national radio station by a man in his 60s was "a step too far."
"Words can hurt," she told her one million followers. "At the end of the day I am only 19 and I’m so grateful for all the amazing opportunities I have been able to take part in. "I understand that being in the public eye obviously comes with it’s own repercussions and I’ve been aware of this from a young age", said the TV personality.
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The radio presenter was commenting on the news that the Strictly Come Dancing star was soon to star on MasterChef.
“Tilly Ramsay is on Celebrity MasterChef Australia, is she? Well she can’t blooming well dance, I’m bored with her already," he said.
“She’s a chubby little thing, isn’t she?... Have you noticed? Probably her dad’s cooking I should imagine.”
His comments were widely criticised as celebrities rallied around Ms Ramsay - comedian Jason Manford said Mr Allen was "trying to stay relevant again, this time by criticising a teenage girl’s body on his s*** radio show".
Janette Manrara, who co-hosts Strictly's spin-off show It Takes Two, wrote: "How fast we forget what hurtful comments can do for someone’s mental health."
She called Ms Ramsay a "powerful young lady".
Dianne Buswell, one of the professional dancers on Strictly, said that Tilly is "beautiful inside and out" and that the 19-year-old is "so brave" to speak up.
"We all support you," she added.
Government mental health adviser and Love Island star Dr Alex George wrote an open letter responding to the comments, saying a “discussion about a young person’s weight live on air is not acceptable”.
He said he was "absolutely horrified" by the remarks, adding: “It is widely recognised just how damaging such comments about someone’s weight are and the effect they can have on an individual’s mental health. “We must not only think of the effect on Tilly here, which I can imagine could be significant, but also the potential impact to listeners of the show.”