Former Emmerdale star Reece Dinsdale, who is best known for his role as super villain Paul Ashdale on the ITV soap, has hit out at trolls for body shaming people online as he opens up about his hidden health battle.
The 60-year-old actor, who left the soap last year when his character was killed off in an explosion, has told critics to has told critics to go "f*** themselves" as he spoke about his body dysmorphia, a condition that has affected him throughout his life.
In a tweet posted on his personal account, Reece said: "I’m 63. My weight fluctuates greatly nowadays. Sometimes I’m up sometimes I’m not. I do my very best to hold on to some self-worth over that. People trying to body shame me, when I have had a lifetime of struggling with body dysmorphia… go f*** yourselves!"
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The comments section was quickly flooded with support from adoring fans, Tracie Bennett told him: "Well just be glad you’re not like that type of person, a bully basically . I’m full of wrinkles & quirk. It’s my face & I’ve earned it. Every line on it has a story & it’s part of what & who I am. Folk can criticise all they want cos it’s them I feel for. #PeckerUp my luv. Ignore"
Katy Manning said: "Don't value or give room to those who indulge in being cruel & negative . keep those who you trust & show support to you close & block all others" Dean said: "Reece mate, I came to see you at the Crucible Sheffield a few years ago in The Absence of War and when you took your top off us gay boys in the audience had to cross our legs."
To which the Paul Ashdale actor replied: “You will never know how difficult that moment was for me… I dreaded it for weeks in rehearsals. I was finally able to do it in performance only because I was playing someone else and was, by that time, eventually lost in the character… thank god!”
Another fan, Rege, added: "Can't believe you're 63, but then I'm 53 so I suppose it makes sense. Massive admirer of your work from Threads onwards. To find recently that you're also a sound bloke with sound politics made my day. Cheers Reece!"
Reece later thanked his fans for their support, adding: “Been a tough old day grappling with some very old & familiar demons.
“These battles are hard enough to win anyway, even without trolls & dickheads exacerbating things. The issues remain, but thank you for the support you wonderful folk have sent to my way. It’s helped enormously.”
You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars. There you'll also find our Emmerdale features and further news about the show's 50th anniversary plans.
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