Susannah Constantine on Strictly, splitting with Trinny and survival: ‘I’ve just had brain surgery – can you not ask me what’s for dinner tonight?’
Look at this big roll of flab!” cries Susannah Constantine, in absolute horror. It’s a clip from 2004’s What Not to Wear – the now somewhat shocking BBC makeover series she co-hosted with Trinny Woodall throughout the Noughties – and Constantine is grabbing a woman’s midriff through her clothes as though it’s a slab of meat. The show, which ran for five seasons, forced those taking part to dress according to body shape and gave a generation of women complexes about big bums, “sausage arms” or “fried egg tits”. It was also a huge hit, turning its presenters into household names.
“Oh, can you send me that clip?” asks Constantine, 61, sounding slightly bemused; she has forgotten about that episode.
Back then, she was the more empathetic, approachable one with flaws, whom everyone identified with; Woodall the tall, skinny, bossier one. Both were self-deprecating posh girls, infamous for boob-grabbing. They were catapulted to fame with their brutal fashion advice – and overzealous inspections of their unsuspecting victims. Participants had been nominated by friends and relatives, and were looked over by the duo in a 360-degree mirror room.
