Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch condemns Steve Allen’s ‘reductive’ comments about Tilly Ramsay’s weight

‘Why is he focusing on that?’ she asked

Ellie Harrison
Thursday 21 October 2021 11:09 BST
Tilly Ramsay dances a waltz on Strictly Come Dancing

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Evanna Lynch, the actor who played Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, has condemned the comments LBC radio host Steve Allen made about Strictly star Tilly Ramsay’s weight.

Ramsay, the daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay, spoke out this week after broadcaster Allen called her a “chubby little thing” live on air.

During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine on Thursday (21 October), Lynch – who has written a book about her experience of the eating disorder anorexia – said: “Stop commenting on peoples’ appearances, it’s not their business and judging people by their appearance, there’s just so much more to women, there’s so much more to people.

“It’s very reductive and that woman has so much more to her and she’s showing so much more. Why is he focusing on that?”

Many celebrities have spoken out in support of Ramsay following Allen’s comments, including her fellow Strictly stars and Jason Manford.

Lynch was live in the studio to discuss her newly released autobiography The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting.

Speaking about her struggle with anorexia, the 30-year-old said: “I see it as an addiction. You know, you eat food every day, you have to have a balanced relationship with it and I really think you can…

“This idea that my therapist shared is that we upgrade our problems, you have to find better coping mechanisms because that’s all these eating disorders are – they’re coping mechanisms. I think you graduate to other things that give you a purpose and I think you gradually learn how to make them better for you.”

She concluded: “I’m trying to show that recovery isn’t neat. I think a lot of people think it ends in physical recovery and I’m trying to show that even though things were great professionally and on the surface, I still had quite a toxic mindset.”

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this piece, eating disorder charity Beat’s helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. You can visit their website here.

NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. They can be reached by phone on 845 838 2040 or their website here.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in