News

Steps star Claire Richards blames social media for ‘pressuring’ young people to be thin

"It's quite a dangerous road to go down," said singer

Claire Richards reckons Instagram can prove “dangerous” for young people.

The 41-year-old pop star has slimmed down from a size 20 to a size 10 since having her two children Charlie, 11 and Daisy, eight.

But now she in her 40s the Tragedy singer says she no longer feels the need to be skinny.

When asked whether she thinks young performers are under a lot of pressure to stay thin, Claire agreed photo-sharing websites could have an affect on how teens view themselves.

Claire in 2013 (Credit: Zed Jameson / FameFlynet.uk.com / SplashNews.com)

Read more: Aidan Turner looks nothing like Poldark for new film role

She told Bang Showbiz: “I think there is quite a lot of pressure on everybody to look a certain way these days on social media with things like Instagram.

“We almost create a rod for our own back in a way. It’s not really real in a way. It’s quite a dangerous road to go down, especially for young people.

“I don’t feel pressure anymore but then I’ve been in the business for over 20 years and I’m not a young kid anymore. I feel as a woman in their 40s, it’s less important these days.”

Claire previously reasoned that she has managed to shed six stone and keep it off by following a “sensible” diet.

Read more: Gary Barlow opens up about Take That’s tour blues

She explained: “I’ve yo-yed between a size 20 and a 10 over the years but I’ve recently lost six stone and have kept it off through a sensible diet.”

In 2016 Claire credited her weight loss to lots of walking.

She told The Mirror: “I don’t want to struggle to run around after my kids. The reality of being big is you have a few more aches and pains.

“In the morning, I was almost in agony walking down the stairs because my ankles would hurt.”

Glam star now feels free from pressure to be thin (Credit: Mark Milan / SplashNews.com)

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.


Robert Leigh
Freelance writer