Who is India Willoughby, the newsreader at loggerheads with J.K. Rowling?
India Willoughby
is a popular TV personality in the UK. Born on September 2, 1965, in London and raised in Carlisle, Cumbria, India has carved a unique path as a journalist, broadcaster, and reality TV personality.
She holds the distinction of being the UK's first transgender national television newsreader and the first trans co-host of the all-women talk show, Loose Women.
In March 2024, India became embroiled in a public dispute with author J.K. Rowling. Rowling referred to India as a "man" on social media, prompting India to file a police complaint, alleging that Rowling's comments constituted a hate crime under the Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act.
Rowling defended her statements, citing her gender-critical views and freedom of speech. Northumbria Police reviewed the complaint but concluded that it did not meet the criminal threshold.
"For J.K. Rowling to deliberately misgender me knowing who I am is grossly offensive. It is a hate crime. I don't know if (the police report is) going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications, but it's a cut-and-dried offense, as far as I'm concerned," she had told the media.
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Meanwhile, after this Rowling had posted on X about having a "clearly winnable case against India Willoughby for defamation" and added that "India's obsessive targeting of me over the past few years may meet the legal threshold for harassment.
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What is India Willoughby's real name?
India Willoughby was born as Jonathan Willoughby. Her journey from Jonathan to India is a testament to her courage and determination to live authentically. Before her transition, Jonathan Willoughby was a familiar face on ITV's Border News, covering major stories in Carlisle, Cumbria.
India's journey in journalism began in the late 1980s. She worked as a TV reporter at ITV Border, covering news in the North East and Cumbria. In 2010, she left ITV Border and, for a period, led a double life: living as a woman in Newcastle during the week while presenting as male in Carlisle on weekends. This period of personal conflict culminated in her decision to transition.
In 2015, she underwent
gender reassignment surgery
, aligning her physical self with her gender identity .
Post-transition, India's career reached new heights. Her appearance on Loose Women in 2017 marked another milestone, as she became the show's first trans co-host. India's candid discussions about her experiences brought visibility to transgender issues and opened up conversations in mainstream media .
In 2018, India participated in Celebrity Big Brother, a season themed "Year of the Woman" to commemorate the centenary of women's suffrage in the UK.
Her time on the show was marked by frank discussions about gender identity. Despite being the first contestant evicted, India's appearance further solidified her status as a prominent transgender figure in British media .
India has been an outspoken advocate for transgender rights, using her platform to address issues of representation and equality. However, her visibility has also made her a target for online abuse. In 2023, she reported receiving a death threat from the neo-Nazi group National Action, leading to police protection under the Counter Terrorism Command .
India is a mother to one son and has been open about her journey, including undergoing facial feminization surgery in order to align her appearance with her gender identity .
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