Ulrika Jonsson says younger men ‘aren't bothered by ageing bits'
The TV host, 57, was videoed talking to Spencer Matthews on his podcast Untapped earlier this week, but on social media the clips sparked more conversation about her appearance than her words, as she discussed sobriety.
She took to social media to call out the comment, assuring her followers she is 'not ashamed' by her appearance.
Making it clear that she's ageing happily, Ulrika declared that she 'will never look like the fresh 21yr old [sic] that used to greet you first thing in the morning by the weather board'.
Fans also threw their support behind her, further branding the cruel remarks about her skin 'sexist' and 'judgemental.'
Now, in a new article for The Sunday Times – titled I'm smart and kind. My wrinkles shouldn't matter – the TV personality has doubled down on her clapback and explored the bizarre reaction many have to the concept of getting older.
She said she felt 'disturbed' that the mocking comments 'didn't come as a surprise' and pointed out how disproportionately women face this backlash compared to men.
'Men have never had any such worries about trying to achieve equality or visibility — they, like fine wine, get better with age, don't you know?', the model wrote.
'For women, it's been an altogether different story. We have always been told to go quietly into the autumn of our lives.'
She admitted to turning to Botox and fillers in the past, but now, in her fifties, she doesn't 'want to look 20.'
Ulrika explained how her time working in television affected her body image, and that in recent years, she was inspired by the likes of Pamela Anderson, who has embraced a makeup-free look, often going bare-faced on red carpets.
She then opened up about her dating life and how ageing has affected her relationships – or hasn't, to be exact.
'The vast majority of men I've dated in the past few years have all been in their late twenties or early thirties,' the Gladiators presenter began.
'They appear to love an older woman and not be too bothered about the ageing bits that come as part of the package.'
Ulrika ended by saying: 'I know what the alternative to ageing is and, with my newfound sobriety, serenity and inner peace, I don't want to go there right now.
'Getting older is a privilege, even though for some nasty, cruel individuals, that's conditional upon us girls keeping our make-up on and staying wrinkle-free.'
Ulrika's main reason for appearing on the aforementioned podcast in the first place was to discuss her sobriety, having celebrated the one-year milestone in June. More Trending
'I believe that I will never drink again,' she told the former Made in Chelsea star. 'I'm tapping into the person that was always there that I didn't think was there when I was drinking.
'I thought I was s**t. My opinion of myself was never very high,' she said.
'My mindset, my approach has just completely changed, and at nearly 58, I didn't think that would be possible. I thought I wasn't very good at life, I wasn't cut out for it, and I was just a pretty average to rubbish person.'
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