Actress and television personality Emily Atack has unveiled a striking new look for the new year, leaving her legion of followers both amazed and concerned. The 36-year-old star, best known for her role in The Inbetweeners, has dramatically chopped off her signature long blonde locks in favour of a chic, blow-dried bob.
A Dramatic New Look for the New Year
Taking to Instagram earlier this week, Emily Atack confidently shared a snapshot of her major hair transformation. For years, her flowing blonde hair was a defining feature, but she has now embraced a shorter, sharper style. She captioned the post with a playful pun: "Bobviously." The image, posted on 9th January 2026, shows the mum-of-one looking elegant in black skinny jeans and a matching top, with her new blonde bob perfectly styled.
The reaction from fans was swift and overwhelmingly positive regarding her haircut. "Wow you look fantastic girl," wrote one admirer. Another commented, "The bob is nice on you, colour and style suits you," while a third simply stated, "Great hair."
Post-Baby Body Sparks Mixed Reactions
However, the conversation in the comments section quickly shifted from her new hairstyle to her noticeably slender appearance. It has been eighteen months since Emily gave birth to her son, Barney, in July 2024. Many fans expressed awe at her figure, with questions like "How did you lose so much weight! You look amazing?" and compliments such as "Well done on the new bod beautiful."
Yet, this admiration was tempered by a wave of concern from other followers. Recent festive posts showcasing her new frame had already prompted speculation. Some comments directly referenced weight-loss medications, asking if she was "on Mounjaro" or suggesting "Skinny jabs are jabbing." This sparked a robust defence from other social media users who criticised the public scrutiny of her body.
"These comments! Aren't we over talking about women's bodies?" one fan argued. Another pointed out the double standard: "The thing is, women can't win. We are either too fat or too skinny... her size or any woman's size is not for public comment." A third noted the disproportionate focus, saying, "Its amazing that she's posted a whole reel of lovely Xmas photos and 80% of the comments are about her body."
Atack's History with Body Image Pressures
This is not the first time Emily Atack has faced public commentary on her physique. In a podcast chat with Jamie Laing after Barney's birth, she expressed frustration at the immediate pressure on new mothers to "get back into shape." She revealed feeling "overwhelmed" by questions about her weight postpartum.
"I've just created a human, I am exhausted!" she said defiantly. "The last thing I want to do is go to the gym but the first thing you're expected to do is get back into shape. Where's the congratulations for being a mother?" At the time, she stated she had actually put on more weight and was simply enjoying motherhood.
The star also reflected on her early career, recalling her shock when a Facebook page dedicated to her The Inbetweeners character, Charlotte Hinchcliffe, focused heavily on her body. "I was a size eight, a tiny little body, but to some people it was the first time they'd seen a girl that wasn't really, really skinny," she explained, highlighting the narrow beauty standards in entertainment.
Emily Atack's new bob haircut may have been the intended reveal, but the online response has once again turned the spotlight onto the relentless and often contradictory public discourse surrounding women's bodies, particularly in the spotlight of celebrity.
