I agree with that. Many a girl at the school where I teach have come whinging to me, "Miiiiss, he just called me fat!" (I say "whinging" because these girls haven't an ounce of fat anywhere!) However, none of these girls have ever made a similar complaint about being called thin. Not once. That's because the word fat within our society is looked upon as insulting - because it is normally used as a slight, with the intention of creating a negative reaction. The word "thin", while it isn't as flattering as "slim", just doesn't have that connotation.

I've been both as well - but my happiness and well-being have not been contingent on my weight. I was quite ill when lighter - now I haven't even had a cold in 3 years

Remember this is not a production of Dicken's Oliver Twist. (Unless all street urchins broke into song every two minutes). This is a production of a Lionel Bart musical which shows Lionel Bart's interpretation of the characters. Nancy to me should be strong looking, bawdy and ballsy. Someone who has had a few knocks and has a mumsy quality. I think Jode fits the bill perfectly and I am sure she will win. Unless the BBC have another problem 'phone vote

I'd never had a weight problem and was happy in my skin, until medication for a short term health problem caused a one stone increase. I felt pretty miserable, but then a work colleague said, "I think you look much better - your arms aren't nearly as skinny as they were." I wasn't sure whether I should laugh or cry - so decided to laugh and felt much better.

I'm now off medication - but the sight of my skinny arms in the mirror is a saluatory lesson in vanity!

Oh, i am not saying for one minute that fat=unhappy and thin=happy. If only life were that simple! Some people are genuinely happy, and healthier with a bigger size. As long as we are not talking about extremes where life is at risk, then whatever suits the individual... Me, I know I wouldn't want to be any less than 9 stone at 5ft 2, although BMI indicates I can go a fair bit lower...I know that I simply would not look right any slimmer than that.

sometimes its not choice......some times its medical......

absolutely, and the sad thing is people don't think that initially do they?

Interesting piece in the Daily Mirror today about how Sam continuously stuffs her face without putting on any weight.

Sometimes, life just isn't fair!

Yes, but there might be a portrait of her somewhere getting fatter and fatter. (it'll probably be with JB's which is getting olderand older).

I think Jodie is fine for the part as she is, BUT, IF she was asked to lose weight i'm sure she would take that on board - and probably would anyway throughout the rehearsal period.

Actors are asked to make changes to their appearance for roles and this includes body shape. I remember Lee having to tone up for Joseph.

Is Rene Zellweger too skinny to play Bridget Jones???

Not now, she ain't!!!

No need to even reply to this thread now is there?!

So chuffed, the most deserving girl won, brilliant!

Pathetic even to start this thread! Well done Jodie, deserved winner.