ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Mother refuses to let her daughter be taught by a fat teacher

A heated debate has followed her admission. - by Grace Back
  • 22 Sep 2017
Mother refuses to let her daughter be taught by a fat teacher
Getty Images

A mother who has stirred controversy by saying she didn’t want her daughter to go to a nursery with overweight staff has defended her comments saying it’s ‘beautiful to be healthy.’

Hilary Freeman from London appeared on the Lorraine show with plus-size blogger Becky Barnes to discuss the issue, and insisted that she wasn’t passing judgement on the appearance of anyone who is overweight.

‘I think it’s touched a nerve. I think people are incredibly sensitive about weight. Maybe it’s the way I phrased it. I think the debate has got mixed up with appearance. I don’t mind, I think big women can look fantastic. Becky looks amazing,’ she said.

Becky Barnes on Twitter

Explaining again why she’d been concerned, Hilary recalled that one of the assistants at a potential nursery for her daughter was ‘very obese’.

Freeman told, ‘Morbidly obese I would say. She moved very slowly. She couldn’t breathe very well. I was concerned she wouldn’t have the reactions necessary to look after a toddler who darts all over the place.’

Lorraine on ITV on Twitter

Responding to Hilary, who admitted she’d been ‘vilified’ for her views, Becky said: ‘Myself I come from a health at every size viewpoint. I think you can’t make a snap judgements on people’s health just by looking at them.’

She continued, ‘If you’re doing that job and you’re doing it well you deserve to do it regardless of your size.’

It’s no surprise that Twitter had a lot of responses to the heated panel, with viewers arguing both sides.

Ben Duncan on Twitter
Hollie B ✌️ on Twitter
Jodie Brandman on Twitter
rebecca gibson on Twitter

This article originally appeared on New Idea.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Aussie school principal found dead at her desk

Aussie school principal found dead at her desk

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

{headline}

{headline}

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

{headline}

{headline}

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!