Saira Khan has spoken about receiving death threats (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Saira Khan has revealed she’s received unsettling death threats simply because she’s decided to wear a bikini.
The presenter, 53, was the runner-up on the first series of The Apprentice in 2005, and has gone on to appear on shows including The Martin Lewis Money Show, Loose Women, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice.
Born into a Muslim family of Pakistani origin, Saira has decided to speak about the shocking response some people have had to her showing off skin online.
‘I’m so proud to be in a bikini, yet in my culture I’ve experienced death threats for showing myself,’ she said.
‘I can’t tell you how much trolling I’ve had. I say, “Bring it on’ – because I’m not going to stop”.
Despite the abuse, she remains steadfast and won’t let it affect her.
The TV presenter is targeted by trolls unhappy with her bikini photos (Picture: Saira Khan/Instagram)
‘People are scared of powerful women, because when we own who we are, we change the world!’ she added when speaking to Closer.
The presenter also reminded women in her community that there was great importance in seeing a ‘fit, healthy body’ even though they are covered up a lot of the time.
‘For women in my community and my culture, it’s so important to see what a fit, healthy body looks like and how it ages, because we don’t see it, as a lot of it is covered all the time,’ she continued.
‘I fully believe that if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.
‘We need to show off our bodies in order to get vitamin D – otherwise it really won’t serve you well later in life!’
She encouraged other women to feel confident to show off their bodies (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)
Part of her being able to practice that has involved cutting sugar out of her diet, which has helped Saira she approaches menopause.
‘As you hit the menopause there are lots of things you have to watch, like the thickening of the waist, weak bones, hormonal changes, depression, and anxiety,’ she explained.
‘A lot of it is to do with your diet and physical activity.
‘I love sugar and I wish I could have it all the time, but I can’t, because I want to feel good about myself and I don’t want that hormonal roller coaster.’
She added: ‘I can’t afford to be like that every day because it gets me down. I’ve cut it out as much as I can and, actually, I feel better for it. I’ve noticed big changes like weight loss, hormonal balances, more energy and less anxiety.’
Last month Saira urged women over 50 to ‘stop worrying’ and post bikini snaps.
‘Should a woman over 50 wear a bikini? – I saw this being debated in the press a few days ago and my answer is a huge YES YOU CAN,’ she wrote.
‘Go for it ladies – you’ve only got one life.’
She added that they should ‘stop listening to these stupid debates and stop worrying about your age and what others think’.
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‘I can’t tell you how much trolling I’ve had.’
