Vicky Pattison admits she 'hated' herself as she shares throwback snaps and hits out at troll who criticised her bikini photos

Daily Mail​

09-07-2025

Vicky Pattison has opened up about 'hating' herself in a candid Instagram post as she hit back at a fan that claimed she 'loves herself'.
The former Geordie Shore star, 37, who is currently enjoying an idyllic Maldives holiday with husband Ercan, has been sharing a series of stunning bikini snaps.
However one fan took to the comments writing, 'God doesn't she love herself', prompting Vicky to hit back, 'And what gave you that impression?! Or can you just not stand to see a confident woman?'
Vicky then shared two throwback snaps and revealed it has taken her years to get to the happy place she is at now and to 'finally feel comfortable in my own skin'.
She wrote: 'After years of hating what I saw in the mirror.. being told I was 'fat' or being offered 'shape up' features in mags, or being criticised for being too small, always being convinced I just was worth nothing more than a number on a scale.. it is a monumental moment for me, or any women when she gets to say - I'm actually content.
'Now don't get me wrong, this didn't happen overnight. It took years of fad diets, weaponising exercise, counting berries & never ordering what I wanted off a menu to get here.
'I decided there had to be more to life.. or at least I wanted more anyway. I grew up, I fell in love with a nice man who has loved me at a number of different sizes & shapes over the years & I embraced balance.
'I know my body will look a bit different at the end of this holiday & that's ok.. because I enjoyed myself- I ate nice things with my husband & drank cocktails & I LIVED!
'I'm finally comfortable in my own skin.'
Vicky told her 5.5million fans that they should be able to post whatever they want and despite not always feeling confident on the 'rare days' she does she's going to enjoy it and not let others ruin that.
She continued: 'I'm not saying I'm confident all the time (Christ in a cardigan who is?!) In fact sometimes I'm downright crippled by insecurity & pulling every bit of myself apart.
'I stare in the mirror & tell myself my nose is too big, I'm starting to look old & that I have no arse & no matter how hard we try as women to be positive, embrace who we are & silence that nasty inner critic. They're always there. Nagging away at our happiness.
'So on those rare days when I wake up & I feel quite good about myself.. there is not a chance in hell I'm going to let some silly little man change that.
'Because let's have it right, this isn't about me 'loving myself', it isn't about any woman 'loving herself'- which we should all try to do more of by the way- this is about how a secure & confident woman can make CERTAIN men feel. It makes them feel small, intimidated.. it makes them feel less. But who gives a f***'
Vicky then shared two throwback snaps and revealed it has taken her years to get to the happy place she is at now and to 'finally feel comfortable in my own skin'
Vicky told her fans that they should be able to post whatever they want and despite not always feeling confident on the 'rare days' she does she's going to enjoy it and not let others ruin that
The TV personality concluded by telling fans to 'love yourself' and enjoy sharing photos no matter what others say.
She added: 'So continue to take up space, post your glam pics, your posey holiday snaps, nights out with the girls- whatever it is! Because learning to like yourself, let alone even love yourself after a lifetime of conditioning yourself otherwise is hard & you deserve to!
'In a society that thrives on us hating ourselves.. do something rebellious & love yourself'.
Fans took to the comments to praise the reality stars wise words as many said 'isn't loving yourself what it is all about'.
They wrote: 'And isn't that the goal - to love ourselves???; Like loving ourself is a bad thing!! It's the goal! Bloody shout it from the rooftops when we get there! I am;
'Take up space babe. This is the heart of it ��it's ANARCHY XXX; being content & happy is what everyone deserves to feel xx;
'Always love yourself you are beautiful inside out; So worthy!; AND???? Why can't we; If you don't love yourself, how can others ? X'.
Vicky's inspiring post comes after her I'm A Celebrity bestie Ferne McCann showed off her incredible figure in a taupe bikini in a new video on Monday as she admitted to often hesitating to post pictures of herself.
Fans took to the comments to praise the reality stars wise words as many said 'isn't loving yourself what it is all about'
The former TOWIE star, 34, wowed in the skimpy Grace Jacobs two-piece before slipping into a patterned co-ord, posing this way and that as she showcased her stylish summer look.
And amid her apparent confidence, Ferne, like Vicky, urged her followers to 'stop doom scrolling', 'stop doubting' themselves and 'post the damn picture' in a defiant, inspiring message.
The mother-of-two looked in great spirits as she twirled around in the clip, but confessed in her caption that she'd regularly edit her images 'a million times' before finding the courage to post it.
Her motivational message read: 'This is your sign to POST.
'Not when your body looks perfect. Not when the lighting is just right. Not when the algorithm is 'doing better.' Not when you've edited it for the 5th time. Not when you've sat on it for 3 months and it ends up lost in your camera roll.
'There are so many moments I've waited, overthought a post, edited it a million times. Sometimes you've just got to think fck it* ….free the drafts and post.'