Actress and television personality Emily Atack has found herself at the centre of a heated online debate about body image after sharing holiday snaps from a trip to South Africa. The 36-year-old star, who welcomed her first child in June 2024, showcased her physique in a cropped floral shirt and denim shorts during a getaway to Cape Town this week.
Holiday Snaps Ignite Online Speculation
On Tuesday, Emily Atack posted a series of images from her South African retreat. In a playful mirror selfie taken before heading out, she wore a green floral shirt tied at the front, revealing her midriff, paired with blue denim shorts secured with a chunky black belt. She completed the casual look with comfortable sliders, a black Gucci handbag, and sunglasses, cheekily sticking her tongue out for the camera.
The images quickly drew comments from followers, with a portion speculating about her noticeably slender frame. Some users directly questioned whether she was using weight-loss injections, with remarks such as "Skinny jabs are jabbing" and "Are you on Mounjaro?" flooding the comments section. This reaction comes just days after similar claims emerged online following other recent photos of the star.
A Swift Defence from Fans and Friends
The speculation prompted a significant backlash from other followers and celebrities who rushed to Emily's defence. Many criticised the ongoing public commentary about women's bodies. "These comments! Aren't we over talking about women's bodies?" wrote one fan. Another supporter stated, "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."
Comedian and friend Katherine Ryan also showed her support, commenting simply "GIRL" accompanied by a string of fire emojis. The debate highlighted the intense and often contradictory scrutiny faced by women in the public eye regarding their appearance.
Post-Pregnancy Pressure and Past Struggles
This incident is not the first time Emily Atack has faced public discussion about her weight. Just months after the birth of her son, Barney, in June 2024, she revealed she had been inundated with questions about when she would 'get back into shape'. Speaking on Jamie Laing's 'Great Company' podcast in November 2024, she expressed frustration at the expectation.
"I've just created a human, I am exhausted!" she said. "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?" She added that she had actually gained weight since giving birth and was choosing to enjoy time with her newborn.
Emily also reflected on the body commentary that began with her breakout role as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners. Despite being a size eight at the time, she was labelled 'curvy' compared to other actresses, leading to a confusing mix of praise and criticism. "Some people were saying I'm sexy and beautiful and others saying I'm fat and ugly. It was so confusing," she shared, emphasising her lifelong healthy relationship with food and exercise.
The star had previously announced her engagement to scientist Alistair Garner, a childhood friend, in the summer of 2023. The couple have known each other for nearly three decades through family connections. A representative for Emily Atack has been contacted by the Daily Mail for comment regarding the recent weight-loss jab claims.
