Lily James reveals just how much the press have body shamed her

She refuses to be labelled a 'bad role model'

Words by Jadie Troy-Pryde

Lily James rose to fame as the rebellious Lady Rose Aldridge in the ITV period drama Downton Abbey, and has since gone on to star in big budget Hollywood films like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

She may be an accomplished actress with a bevy of successful TV and film roles under her belt, as well as becoming the face of a huge Burberry campaign last year, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing for the 29-year-old.

The British actress has recently revealed that while promoting the live action adaptation of Disney classic Cinderella back in 2015 she was repeatedly body shamed by the press.

Talking to GQ, she admitted: 'The press were saying I was a bad role model but I have always been healthy.

'I eat! I do have a tiny waist and quite big hips so it looks in proportion, you know? I have an hourglass shape.'

At the time Lily lashed out at criticism over her weight, deeming it both 'upsetting' and 'boring'.

'On one hand it's upsetting, on the other hand it's just boring,' she told The Huffington Post.

'I mean why do women get pointed at for their bodies? This whole thing happened and I'm constantly having to justify myself. I'm healthy and I always have been.'

Lily also went on to discuss how 'disheartening' it was that actresses are still being asked to lose weight for roles.

'I've heard that story. And you hear those stories all the time,' she told GQ.

'It's so disheartening, I hope it's not getting worse, because people are talking about it and people are aware.'