Jamelia is wrong about banning clothes for fat people: Size 20 model Jayde Adams explains why

The Independent spoke to a woman who is proud of being plus-size

Jamelia's argument that people who were under or overweight "should be made to feel uncomfortable" when they go clothes shopping sparked intense debate.

The former pop star was speaking on Loose Women when she suggested that big and small sizes should only be available from specialist stores, and not on the high street. Clarifying her remarks, Jamelia said she was referring to clothes size 20 and up, and size 4 and below.

The Independent spoke to model and stand-up comedian Jayde Adams - who is a size 20 - to find out what life's like as a bigger person.

The Independent: Hi Jayde. Why do you think Jamelia caused such offence?

Jayde Adams: "She's voiced a familiar, but always incorrect, assumption that all plus-sized people are unhealthy. I am a size 20, a trained dancer and my blood pressure and fitness levels are absolutely fine."

Adams deals with body image in her comedy

Is the idea that fat people have it too easy to buy nice clothes ridiculous – I imagine it’s actually pretty difficult even today?

JA: "It's really difficult to find trendy fashions for my size. My mother and I have to tag team shop, because I find it so off putting. I feel great about the way I look but when shopping it's hard to maintain that level of confidence when every shop you enter sends you to the rails at the back, like a naughty child to a special section of the store that often stocks really dreary sack shaped dresses.

"I have found some brands that do cater for my size much better, such as H by Henry Holland and Red Herring. But there needs to be so much more variety and quantity."

Do you think the idea that fat people need to be punished is an opinion held by many people in Britain?

JA: "Yes I do. But that opinion is becoming unfashionable. Musicians such as Adele and Beth Ditto, and actors such as James Corden getting high-profile work in America - are helping with this much-needed shift in opinion. It's important to remember and mention to anyone in disbelief that fat people do really cool stuff as well."

Do you think people are prejudiced against fat people?

JA: "I get insults shouted at me in the street by people sometimes so, yes, there is a prejudice about overweight people."

Why do you think the word “fat” comes with so many negative connotations in modern parlance?

JA: "Up until recently, most newspapers, magazines, advert, films, TV series only really promoted the use of people under a size 12. If these are the only images available, they will silently instruct the masses that plus-sized people are somehow living their lives incorrectly. I was bullied about it during my formative years, so to me 'fat' can be a sensitive word."

Are bigger people unfairly marginalised in society, do you think?

JA: "I think all of us in some way, are unfairly marginalised. It's just a part of life. It would be great, however, that none of my everyday issues had anything to do with how other people regarded my size."

With Channel 4’s new programme Plus Size Wars out, do you think there’s a growing awareness of big beauty?

JA: "With the popularity of comedians like Sarah Millican, Sofie Hagen, presenter Scottee, and plus-size international models such as Felicity Hayward things are changing. All these people are successful in their own right because they are good at what they do, in spite of having a conventionally opposing image."

Have you found it harder to be accepted as a plus-size woman? Or has it actually made it easier to find a ready-made audience as a model and comedian?

JA: "It's something that affected me negatively until I was about 22. But the more things I found that I was good at or I enjoyed, the more I felt positive about who I was. Now I don't accept my size as an excuse from anyone to not include me in something, it makes me work harder to be successful with the things I enjoy doing."

Adams believes that it's possible to be healthy and plus-size

How far do you think we have to go as a society to make sure all people are accepted for who they are?

JA: "No one needs to die as a result of the change, we just need to keep trying to help people become more accepting of each other."

Jamelia clarified her comments and said she meant above a size 20 and below a size 4 – do you think this makes her remarks better, or is the spirit of what she said still the same?

JA: "She has retracted her original answer which shows that her opinion was insensitive. I have been known to wear a size 22 or 24 and I know many fully functioning people over the size of a 24. There are also many people who don't put weight on no matter how much they eat and stay under a size 4 whilst not being 'a strain on the NHS'. Which is often the excuse that is given by people like Jamelia who criticise other people's choices.

"You'll often find that the offence is 'within reason' – like, you can be bigger than the 'ideal', but not 'too big'. You can be 'curvy' but you have to contain it in restricting, uncomfortable control wear. I think we should probably stop asking '90s pop star Jamelia on her opinions about how other people live their lives."