Former Participants Share Their Experiences of Racism, Fat Shaming, and Unsafe Filming Practices on Britain’s Next Top Model Across the United Kingdom

Britain’s Next Top Model (BNTM), the UK spin-off of Tyra Banks’s infamous reality franchise, has long been remembered for its glitz, glamour, and catwalk drama.

But behind the cameras, former contestants have revealed a much darker reality.

From body shaming to unsafe shoots and eating disorder triggers, the show’s reputation is being reevaluated after Netflix’s investigative series Reality Check shed light on the toxic culture that defined the Top Model brand.

Abbey Clancy’s Painful Experience

Even the show’s biggest success story wasn’t immune. Liverpudlian Abbey Clancy, who competed on cycle two and later returned as a judge, recounted her struggle under the harsh scrutiny of the judges.

Despite finishing second, Abbey endured cruel comments, including one by photographer Nicky Johnston who allegedly called her a “fat porn star” during a freezing shoot in the snow.

Abbey also described moments of extreme discomfort in the Moroccan desert, where she was yelled at for struggling to open her eyes in blinding sunlight.

Abbey maintains there’s no lingering bitterness, pointing out that Scousers often use sarcasm as humor.

“We’ll say the most horrendous things and not bat an eyelid,” she said, adding that while it was painful, it didn’t feel intended to harm—at least not in her case.

When Criticism Crossed the Line

Not all contestants were able to brush off the insults. Judges and stylists often went beyond sarcasm.

Photographers would declare contestants’ images worthless, while stylists like Grace Woodward labeled features as “too clumsy” or “not pretty enough for major campaigns.”

In season four, girls were forced into a bizarre exercise where they photographed each other’s “worst features,” with derogatory terms like “muffin handles” and “flabby arms” casually thrown at models who were already a UK size 6.

The pressure to publicly critique each other’s bodies created a toxic and anxiety-filled environment.

Unsafe and Inappropriate Shoots

Some of the show’s shoots crossed into territory that made contestants feel unsafe.

In one lingerie shoot, aspiring models were instructed to straddle male models and caress one another provocatively.

Joy McLaren called the experience “creepy,” while Kirsty Parsons described it as “difficult.”

Others, like Nicola Wright and Harleen Kaur Nottay, expressed discomfort and feelings of degradation, with Harleen breaking down in tears due to cultural and personal boundaries being ignored.

Amelia Thomas described the shoot as resembling “one big orgy,” while Hannah Goodeve ultimately quit, unable to reconcile the experience with her sense of self.

Contestants Struggling with Eating Disorders

BNTM also made headlines for featuring contestants actively battling eating disorders.

Jade McSorley, a 20-year-old model who had been hospitalized for anorexia just a year prior, participated in nude shoots while still underweight.

Judges, including Lisa Snowdon, insisted safety measures were in place and highlighted the positive impact of modeling on Jade’s self-image.

Nonetheless, the inclusion of contestants like Jade and Sophie Sumner—who described obsessive calorie counting, purging, and a lifelong struggle with body image—illustrates the show’s potential role in exacerbating mental health issues.

Lack of Inclusivity in Model Selection

Unlike its American counterpart, BNTM never embraced plus-size modeling.

While Whitney Thompson won America’s Next Top Model as a US size 6 (UK 10) and was praised for inclusivity, BNTM’s Julien Macdonald insisted in 2013 that plus-size contestants would never be allowed.

He argued that including them would make the show a “joke” and harm the models’ future careers.

This rigid approach reinforced narrow beauty standards and left contestants outside the size six-to-eight range feeling excluded and undervalued.

What’s Next?

The revelations from Netflix’s Reality Check have reignited conversations about accountability in reality TV.

Industry insiders, former contestants, and advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations on mental health support, safety standards on shoots, and more inclusive representation of body types.

There’s also growing discussion about the ethical responsibility of producers and judges in shaping young models’ self-esteem and well-being.

Summary

Britain’s Next Top Model, once celebrated for launching careers and dazzling viewers, now faces scrutiny for its toxic culture.

Former contestants have shared stories of cruel body-shaming, unsafe working conditions, and exposure to triggering environments for eating disorders.

The series’ refusal to feature plus-size models further reinforced narrow beauty ideals.

While some, like Abbey Clancy, can look back without bitterness, others have been left physically and emotionally scarred.

As Netflix’s Reality Check brings these issues to light, the conversation about reforming reality TV standards—and protecting contestants’ mental health—continues to grow.

If you or someone you know is struggling with eating disorders, help is available from BEAT Eating Disorders at 0808 801 0677 or help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.