There’s only one thing the Daily Mail likes more than the latest immigrant statistics to brighten up a page: totty, preferably of the royal variety.
So shots of world champion show-jumper and BBC Sports personality of the year Zara Phillips wearing a “less than flattering outfit†made it into last Friday’s paper and its website under the headline “Zara Phillips shows off her fuller figure…â€
But it seems Mail readers are less then happy with the paper’s treatment of the Queen’s granddaughter ‒ not that you would know it at first.
The first three reader comments on the online story, the only ones visible without further clicking, are fairly tame: Amberdallas, from Texas, now apparently part of middle England, says Phillips “looks gorgeous and… healthy; Marcie, of Florida, says Phillips’ non-flab “looks like muscle and womanly curves from hereâ€; “Normal… and lovely!†says Sue Timbers from Baldock, Bedfordshire.
But on the “view more†section of comments, Sneeze in Shropshire writes: “In this day and age, when we are talking about size 0 models starving themselves to ‘look good’ but ruining their health, you go and give totally the wrong impression…â€
Suzanni in Ireland says: “What an unpleasant and disappointing attitude to adopt towards a world-class athlete.â€
Angie in Minnesota goes even further: “I see absolutely nothing wrong with her figure! She looks healthy, strong, and confident… This article is just ridiculous.â€
Axegrinder wishes her well in this week’s World Equestrian Championships and suggests that she lays off the chips.
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