Popular television and radio presenter Angellica Bell has made a surprising confession about what she describes as her most "ridiculous purchase" during the early days of her broadcasting career. The 49-year-old star revealed she bought an electric abdominal machine because she felt pressured to appear "smaller" on screen.
The Pressure to Conform to Television Standards
Appearing on the latest episode of the Spent podcast in association with Nationwide, Bell reflected on her journey into television and the insecurities that plagued her during those formative years. Best known for her work on CBBC between 2000 and 2006, the presenter described her younger self as "a little fat chubby child" with "national health glasses," admitting she never believed she was "anything special to look at" growing up.
Bell's career began humbly with a paper round and a stint working at McDonald's before she landed her first television role as a roving reporter for The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 in the late 1990s. Her big break came in 2000 when she joined CBBC, where she hosted between shows before securing main presenting roles on programmes including Xchange, 50/50 and That's Genius!
The Abs Machine That Promised Too Much
Despite her growing success, Bell confessed that her insecurities persisted, leading her to make what she now considers a foolish investment. She purchased an electrical pulse machine that claimed to create abdominal muscles through contractions caused by electric shocks.
"I once bought one of those machines that gives you a six pack," Bell told podcast host Matt Edmondson. "Back in the day, there used to be these things where you'd put it on and they put like electric shocks to make your tummy go in. And they would be like, 'You'll have a six pack in six months!'"
The machine worked by delivering electrical impulses that caused muscle contractions, theoretically mimicking the effects of exercise. However, Bell soon discovered the reality fell far short of the promises. When asked about her consistency in using the device, she admitted: "No. I used it for a bit and nothing was happening."
Embracing Body Positivity and Realistic Expectations
Reflecting on the experience, Bell now recognises the purchase as both a financial waste and a symptom of the pressure she felt to conform to television appearance standards. She described the machine as "definitely a con" and acknowledged that achieving fitness goals requires proper diet and exercise rather than technological shortcuts.
"I think there was a time where I felt compelled maybe to look smaller on TV," she revealed. "And I just thought, 'Let me try these'. It's like the idea of Spanx, really."
Bell's perspective shifted when she committed to running a marathon during her CBBC years, discovering that genuine fitness results come from dedicated effort. She has since adopted a more balanced approach to body image, stating: "Now I don't wear Spanx at all because I'm just like, 'Look, this is me and I want to have that cake.'"
The presenter's journey toward body acceptance comes amid her previous emotional revelations about her CBBC career. Last year, Bell broke down in tears during a radio interview with Fleur East, expressing feelings that she "failed a generation" despite being an important representation for black children during the early 2000s.
Fans and colleagues quickly reassured her that her presence on television had been significant, with many taking to social media to praise her as a role model who made minority children feel visible and represented during a time when diversity on screen was limited.
The Spent podcast, produced in association with Nationwide, is available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, with new episodes released every Tuesday.
