Frankie Bridge has hit out at 'double standards' after revealing she was trolled for taking a four-day holiday away from her family. The former Saturdays singer, 36, shared a lengthy message on social media addressing the abuse she received, including being called 'the worst wife and mother'.
Bridge, who has two sons with husband Wayne Bridge, said the criticism came after she took time for herself following health battles, including a benign tumour in her neck. She noted that her husband, a former footballer, has never received similar abuse when he goes on solo trips.
'I spoke to Wayne about it whilst I was away and asked him if anyone had said anything like this to him when he goes on holiday without me or the kids. And the simple answer was...no,' she wrote. 'He actually said, when he went to Ibiza and snowboarding, not one person made a negative comment.'
Bridge, a Loose Women panellist, said she felt guilty for leaving her family but realised she deserved the break, adding that Wayne is 'more than capable' of solo parenting. She criticised the 'online warriors' who questioned her decision, saying the double standards are 'right there staring me in the face'.
The star also addressed the perception that Wayne is a 'hero' for doing parental jobs that she does routinely. 'I equally enjoy that when Wayne does all the parental jobs that I do too, that he is seen as some sort of hero,' she wrote. 'Or that when we met, I was seen as a gold digger, yet I had been working since the age of twelve.'
Bridge concluded her post by saying she feels she must 'shine brighter, work harder, shout louder and be braver than any man in a room'. She added: 'And until that changes, that's exactly who I'll have to be.'
