Television presenter Ulrika Jonsson has responded forcefully to online trolls who attacked her appearance after she appeared without makeup on Spencer Matthews’ podcast to discuss her sobriety journey.
The 57-year-old former Gladiators host took to Instagram on Sunday to address what she described as “nasty comments” about looking “over-tanned” and “old” following her appearance on the Untapped podcast.
“I understand that an over-tanned, imperfect and AGEING face offends you. But try to listen to the words rather than constantly judge women’s appearance. You might learn something,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
The Swedish-born presenter explained she rarely receives negative comments but felt compelled to respond after a “considerable amount” of criticism focused on her appearance rather than her words about overcoming alcohol addiction.
Jonsson revealed she was particularly hurt by viewers who focused on her physical appearance rather than her discussion about achieving sobriety after struggling with alcoholism.
“There were a lot of positive comments about the WORDS I said on the podcast. But a considerable amount about my tanned appearance. AND how OLD I look,” she wrote.
The presenter, who will turn 58 in a few weeks, acknowledged she would never resemble the “fresh 21-year-old that used to greet you first thing in the morning by the weather board.”
She admitted to being an unashamed “sun worshipper” who would “no doubt pay the price for that,” whilst explaining that UV lamps, salt baths and astringent solutions had been part of her life since childhood due to her skin condition.
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Jonsson explained her decision to appear without makeup stemmed partly from forgetting that podcasts now include video elements, but primarily because makeup causes her physical pain.
“Most crucially though, since childhood I’ve suffered from eczema. On my body – the creases of my arms and legs – on my face – eyes and lips. Make-up has always been the enemy because it’s been agony to wear,” she revealed.
The television veteran, who spent years wearing heavy makeup for early morning broadcasts starting at 5am, said she’s “not a fan” of cosmetics.
She disclosed that she sometimes uses filters in photographs because “it’s easier than foundation and less painful,” adding that her uneven pigmentation has been worsened by the ageing process.
Jonsson delivered a pointed message to her critics, stating: “And making people feel s**t doesn’t make you a hero.”
The presenter revealed she works constantly in her garden throughout the year, often exposed to sunlight, though she rarely sunbathes anymore. She hasn’t used a sunbed for six months, which she occasionally does during winter, and stated she feels no shame about this.
Jonsson noted she hasn’t taken any holiday since 2018 – a seven-year gap – before returning to her central argument about societal judgement of women.
During the podcast, Jonsson opened up about her remarkable transformation since becoming sober over a year ago, describing the change as “miraculous.”
She confessed to Matthews that she previously believed she “wasn’t very good at life” and considered herself “a pretty rubbish-to-average person,” but sobriety had completely altered her mindset and approach.
The presenter described how her drinking had escalated to the point where she found herself “kneeling into the cupboard under the stairs where I kept my rum and just necking the rum from the bottle.”
Through support groups and regular meetings, Jonsson achieved sobriety, stating: “I never, ever in a million years thought that I would be capable of making a big shift and a big change – not just dropping the alcohol, but [in] mindset and approach to life.”