Strictly Come Dancing favourite and comedian Jayde Adams has been praised as an icon after posting a message to Instagram in which she addressed comments she had been receiving on her appearance following Strictly Come Dancing's annual movie week special which aired last weekend.
Taking to the dancefloor on Saturday night, October 8 , Jayde and her dance partner Karen Hauer performed a flashdance-inspired cha-cha to Irene Cara's What a Feeling in matching leotards and was praised by each judge for not just the routine but the message she promotes of body positivity and inclusivity.
Motsi Mabuse said on the night: "I think it's so beautiful to tell everyone that dancing is inclusive for everyone, all body types, all shapes, everybody on that dance floor. You make me proud. Well done. Keep up the work guys."
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Posting a picture of white writing on a black background which read "THEM: SHE SHOULDN'T BE ON STRICTLY BECAUSE SHE'S FAT. ME: IF I STAY ON STRICTLY, I'LL GET LESS FAT", the 37-year-old singer and comedian captioned the post: "Dear you lot, "I’m getting lots of nice people sending me many DM’s [sic] worrying about my mental health because stupid people are saying silly things about my weight after my thighs went viral on Saturday night.
"You need to know, I would never allow someone who doesn’t see the idiocy of this logic, to affect my mental health AND if it did creep in, not only do I have Karen but I’m surrounded by people who would either gather round me or if it got REALLY bad, they’d track them and pay them a visit I’m sure.
"If there was something that wrong with me, I wouldn’t be able to dance 6 hours every day and lift Karen. Because of how stupid this logic is, I suspect their issues aren’t to do with me at all. But women always get it in the neck don’t they. I’m not ignoring it, I’m addressing it. The more I show resilience to it, the more other people will be able to and that’s useful I think.
"I love the love though. All MY love, from me and my massive thighs."
This message of body positivity has been met with a barrage of support from celebrity pals and fans alike. Dawn French wrote: "Go mighty thighs!", while Clara Amfo and Alison Hammond said: "Tell them!!!" and "Queen".
Fellow dance pro, Katya Jones said: "We love the whole of you girl!!!!" alongside TV presenter and architect Laura Jane Clark wrote: "Wow! Really?????! You are a bloody icon...before strictly.....after strictly.... and beyond" and podcaster Louise McSharry, who commented: "You and your massive thighs are doing the lord’s work for all the rest of us with massive thighs! I LOVE seeing you looking gorgeous every week."
Her Instagram post comes soon after Paul Embery, a trade unionist and broadcaster, took to Twitter to make a comment about the star's weight. Posting a clip from Saturday night's performances, he captioned the video: "Come back, Noel's House Party. All is forgiven."
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