Saira Khan has disclosed that she has gotten threatening death threats merely for wearing a bikini.
The 53-year-old broadcaster finished second in the inaugural series of The Apprentice in 2005, and has since been on programmes such as The Martin Lewis Money Show, Loose Women, Celebrity Big Brother, and Dancing on Ice.
Saira, who was born into a Muslim family of Pakistani descent, has chosen to speak out about the alarming reaction some people have had to her showing off her flesh online.
‘I’m so proud to be in a bikini, yet in my culture I’ve experienced death threats for showing myself,’ she said.
‘I can’t tell you how much trolling I’ve had. I say, “Bring it on’ – because I’m not going to stop”.
Despite the abuse, she stays unwavering and refuses to let it impact her.
‘People are scared of powerful women, because when we own who we are, we change the world!’ she added when speaking to Closer.
The presenter also reminded women in her community that it was critical to see a ‘fit, healthy figure,’ even if it was hidden most of the time.
‘For women in my community and my culture, it’s so important to see what a fit, healthy body looks like and how it ages, because we don’t see it, as a lot of it is covered all the time,’ she continued.
‘I fully believe that if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.
‘We need to show off our bodies in order to get vitamin D – otherwise it really won’t serve you well later in life!’
Saira has been able to practise this in part by eliminating sugar from her diet, which has aided her as she approaches menopause.
‘As you hit the menopause there are lots of things you have to watch, like the thickening of the waist, weak bones, hormonal changes, depression, and anxiety,’ she explained.
‘A lot of it is to do with your diet and physical activity.
‘I love sugar and I wish I could have it all the time, but I can’t, because I want to feel good about myself and I don’t want that hormonal roller coaster.’
She added: ‘I can’t afford to be like that every day because it gets me down. I’ve cut it out as much as I can and, actually, I feel better for it. I’ve noticed big changes like weight loss, hormonal balances, more energy and less anxiety.’
Last month Saira urged women over 50 to ‘stop worrying’ and post bikini snaps.
‘Should a woman over 50 wear a bikini? – I saw this being debated in the press a few days ago and my answer is a huge YES YOU CAN,’ she wrote.
‘Go for it ladies – you’ve only got one life.’
She added that they should ‘stop listening to these stupid debates and stop worrying about your age and what others think’.
Source My Celebrity Life.
