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Piers Morgan sparks backlash after suggesting women should expect to be ‘objectified and criticised’ on the red carpet

Piers Morgan was accused of fuelling a “toxic culture” after he appeared to suggest women should expect to be ‘objectified and criticised’ on the red carpet.

Morgan made the claims in response to BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, who slammed the Daily Mirror for publishing a worst dressed article from Sunday night’s BAFTA TV Awards.

“Newspaper leads the way in poor, unhelpful, vindictive journalism,” he tweeted alongside a link to the piece which featured Scarlett Moffatt, Jodie Whittaker and Nicola Coughlan among others.

Morgan responded: “Oh please... if you go on a red carpet, you’re inviting people to objectify & criticise or praise you.”

The post sparked outrage with many accusing him of ‘condoning’ body shaming and calling for him to promote body positivity.

(Ken McKay/ITV/Rex )
(Ken McKay/ITV/Rex )

One user tweeted: “Or we could all just be decent humans and try to build people up rather than tear down. What a toxic culture. Why don’t you call it out rather than condone and enforce it?”

Target: Nicola Coughlan was among those featured in the Worst Dressed article (Jeff Spicer/Getty)
Target: Nicola Coughlan was among those featured in the Worst Dressed article (Jeff Spicer/Getty)

Another wrote: “Really? I wouldn’t agree with that statement at all. Can’t we just be positive for once? I know you are trying to stir things up Piers, but really.”

A third posted: “Is that really why people go on the red carpet, Piers? It absolutely isn't. Stop being a weapon.”

A fourth tweeted: “Really? Didn’t realise that’s what a red carpet meant. I thought it was a celebration of talent.”

His comment came hours after Derry Girls actress Coughlan defended herself against a comment criticising her “not the most flattering” appearance at Sunday night’s ceremony.

A fan slammed the Mirror’s report, accusing the publication of “contributing to the persistent degradation of women” to which Coughlan wrote: “I look smokin’, sorry ‘bout that.”

Stars were quick to defend Coughlan, with Gaby Logan claiming the Mirror “got this so wrong on many levels” while Bronagh Waugh, who plays Cathy Maguire in the Channel 4 comedy, condemned the reporting for “reducing actresses down to what they wore”.