Laura Whitmore denies ‘recruiting for British Army’ after backlash over podcast promo

Laura was hit with backlash over the podcast episode (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Laura Whitmore has denied ‘trying to recruit people to the army’ after criticism of her appearance on a British Army podcast.

The Irish star was hit with backlash today after she posted an ad to promote an episode of The Locker, which is made in collaboration with British Army Jobs.

The 35-year-old posted a picture of herself giving a thumbs up and wearing a camouflage top, and wrote on Instagram: ‘Really pleased to share the first episode of the new podcast series ‘The Locker’ . Hear me talk about all things confidence, body positivity, being female in a male dominated industry & overcoming insecurities with the inspiring Ella, a soldier in the British Army #armyconfidence #TheLocker #armyjobs #ad.’

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A tweet from writer Lisa Hughes shared a grab of the post, and noted that after the post, Laura paid tribute to the late John Hume.

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Hughes tweeted: ‘It’s too early for me to get my head around Laura Whitmore’s ad for the British Army podcast, followed by a John Hume quote.’

Whitmore responded: ‘Well when you’re trying to get your head around it, actually listen to the podcast and a really important conversation for women and being female in all sorts of male dominated industries.

‘As a journalist I’m sure you know it is important to have conversations and research yes? Also as Hume spent his life speaking out (and I have quoted) it’s not about one side better than the other. It’s about respect for each other. Peace and love.’

Hughes continued to say: ‘I don’t see what gender has to do with it. John devoted his life to stopping the atrocities of the same army this podcast is effectively a recruitment drive for’, with Laura replying: ‘Gender has EVERYTHING to do with it as that’s the conversation.’

And after author Roisin Kelly responded: ‘If only more women soldiers had been sent into Northern Ireland!!’, the Love Island host tweeted: ‘Every industry and body is bettered by equality and a balance of all sexes x.’

Laura’s response was accused of being ‘tone deaf’, with the star later speaking out on the issue.

The star tweeted: ‘I was asked to be a guest on a podcast talking about body issues and being a female in a male dominated industry. As I have done a lot in the past. The other guest was a young female soldier. If this looked like me trying to recruit people to the army that is not the case at all

‘I know to those who actually listen to the podcast they’ll understand but in case there’s any confusion I wanted to clear it up.’

She also added in response to a follower that she would change the hashtag for #armyjobs that was used on the original post. 

Her Instagram post now reads: ‘Ella’s body changed when she trained and she didn’t fit into the stereotypical ‘feminine’ shape but she is proud of her body and knows to accept and appreciate herself and her strength. 

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More: Laura Whitmore

‘Her life is very different to mine but I learned a lot talking to her. We also chat pressures to look a certain way and fit in no matter what you do and where you come from #confidence #TheLocker #ad.’

Whitmore was born in Bray, Co Wicklow, and attended school and university in Ireland.

She now lives in North London with boyfriend, Love Island narrator and comedian Iain Stirling.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Whitmore’s rep for further comment.

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