
Real Housewives is coming to London? I can't wait for the boozed-up shouting to begin
The cultural juggernaut that is Real Housewives is coming to London. The capital's crop of glamorous, monied middle-aged women with short fuses will apparently include the wonderfully named Panthea Parker, someone known as 'The Longest Legs in Belgravia' (Amanda Cronin), and a Chelsea baker called Nessie Welschinger.
It sounds like appointment viewing, but I feel it incumbent on me to ask: is Real Housewives a Good Thing? Gloria Steinem doesn't think so. 'They present women as rich, pampered, dependent and hateful towards each other,' she said in 2021. Other commentators, however, have pointed to the visibility the franchise offers a relatively underexposed demographic; the weighty themes sometimes covered, amid the froth; and the fact that, belying the reductive title, most of the 'housewives' are successful, confident, professional people (albeit with a taste for drama).
As an intellectual with a more rarefied cultural diet (early 00s Top Chef, currently), I had never seen Real Housewives before. My mental image of the show was basically that meme of a glamorous woman pointing and yelling at a cat (I was partly right: the woman, Taylor Armstrong, is a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum; the cat, Smudge, is not). But in preparation for having an opinion on whether the London edition will advance or injure the cause of midlife womanhood, I watched as much of it as I could cram into a morning.
And honestly, it's captivating: a loud, baffling smorgasbord of frocks, extensions and heaving décolletés; statement jewellery and high-end athleisure. So much contouring, so many mansions, so many elaborately tablescaped 'events'. But mostly (and I don't think even the greatest aficionados would disagree), Real Housewives seems to be boozed-up shouting.
In this, I would argue, it presents an entertaining – even more accessible? – alternative vision of being a middle-aged woman to Davina McCall's rock-hard abs and all those impressive people who start new careers, do charity triathlons or climb mountains. Also, almost every clip I've watched smashes the Bechdel test – they're usually fighting not about men but about which of them has obscurely slighted the other.
In conclusion, I declare Real Housewives a net good; bring on the London ladies.
Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island fans spot clue islander is ‘faking' claim he has never shared a bed with a girl
LOVE Island fans think they have spotted a HUGE clue that one Islander is lying about his claims that he has never shared a bed with a girl. Viewers of the ITV2 dating series were left stunned when Tommy Bradley admitted he had never stayed in a bed overnight with a girl before. 3 3 He made the confession as he told his villa partner Megan Clarke that she would be his first experience of sharing a bed with someone overnight. However, his claims have now been called into question by baffled fans after another telltale comment. During tonight's episode, Tommy referenced how he had previously been in a relationship. It left many fans scratching their heads as they tried to work out how he had been in a relationship but had failed to stay overnight with a girl. Pouring water on his claims, one fan said on X: "So how's Tommy been in a relationship but said he's never shared a bed with a girl?.." As another penned: "How has Tommy had a relationship and never slept in bed with a girl ??" In yesterday's episode, Tommy left Megan stunned with his confession. Whilst he appeared to acknowledge that he had slept with people in the past, he told her that she would be his first time experiencing staying overnight with a girl. Tommy said to her: "I've never spent the night with a girl!" Megan said back in surprise: "And you are here now?" Love Island cast realise two islanders who aren't coupled have secretly gone to the Hideaway Tommy replied: "I've never slept in bed with a girl, overnight. You will be the first!" Megan told him that she would be "honoured" to be his first. It led one girl to remark that Megan would be taking Tommy's "cuddle virginity". However, many viewers were left convinced he was lying as the were left stunned to believe the TV hunk had never stayed with someone overnight. One unsure fan wrote online: "I think Tommy is lying about never being in bed with a girl." As another added: "Tommy is lying [that] he hasnt slept overnight with a girl." A third then quipped: "Does anyone else think it's a red flag that Tommy hasn't spent the night with a girl? Cause is he sleeping with them then going straight home afterwards?" 3


The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
I was fat-shamed for being a curvy PT – insecure haters say I have zero muscles and I'm unfit, I love proving them wrong
A PERSONAL trainer has hit back at hateful trolls who branded her "unfit with zero muscles" - and proved just how strong she is. Eilish Toal, 29, runs SHE Coaching - which stands for stronger, healthier and empowered - in Glasgow and has 42 clients on her books. 5 5 The midsize fitness fanatic can deadlift 100kg, does burpees for fun and has completed three gruelling Hyrox competitions. But she admits it's "easy to get imposter syndrome" when she reflects on her thriving role as a PT. She told Fabulous: "I was really worried about how other personal trainers were going to perceive me for such a long time. "But I think it's got to a point where I know the value that I'm bringing. I know what I'm doing for girls, so I think it's absolutely incredible. "There's a lot of girls who have never been bigger, which is fine, but obviously until you've lived in a bigger body, it is kind of impossible to know how it moves, if that makes sense." Eilish, from Glasgow, was always the "bigger kid" in class as a youngster and was in age 10 clothing by the time she was seven-years-old. Fast forward to her first communion in primary school and she had to wear an adult's size 10. She said: "Then I went to high school, played basketball, but I was still bigger. "I think I pushed friends away, if a guy ever said they liked me, I was absolutely not believing that, and I just constantly put myself down." She then found herself in a vicious binge eating cycle until she was 25 and decided to overhaul her lifestyle. The former radiographer started her health journey while she still worked for the NHS. She admits that she 'fell into pretty terrible habits' during lockdown and decided to throw herself into her love for the gym instead. 'I love working with people and I decided to become a personal trainer", she said. "I decided that at my heaviest weight. I thought I have always wanted to do this and I'm not going to let it [my weight] hold me back. 'So I lost some weight over the next year and then I finally finished the PT course in January 2023.' She's seen huge success in her job so far, using her own previous struggles and curvier figure to support her clients with more than just hip thrusts. But she admits there is still a stigma around bigger people in gyms. She said: "They don't feel like they're welcome. I think bigger people do get treated differently than folk in smaller bodies. "People really need to widen their thoughts and realise that there are people who just don't feel comfortable in the gym." Troll takedown And people on social media can be just as narrow-minded about fitness. Eilish was recently hit with a cruel message under one of her workout videos, which read: "Girl you have zero muscle, look v unfit, overweight. Personal trainers should be neither of these things, it's ridiculous." But she expertly clapped back at the "insecure" troll and educated them on the true meaning of being fit. 5 5 In a video addressing the hater, she said: "Gal, I do not know what you're so deeply unhappy about, but no one is that mean and nasty without having some sort of insecurity. "Overweight? Yes, I can agree with that, but no muscle and very unfit. I Absolutely cannot. "I implore you, please come and train with me for a day because I can assure you it's not f***ing easy. "I could take the easy way out, but I love training hard. I've completed two Hyrox competitions at the men's weights, Hyrox doubles, and I've completed a solo Hyrox. I can run and I can lift some fairly heavy s***. "Again, am I the strongest person in the world? No. I am certainly not the leanest, but I certainly am NOT unfit. "In a world of girls supporting girls, this is absolutely gutting to see and I cannot believe the hate that's coming from you. "I've worked hard at bettering myself for years and this is why I'm a good coach. "And this is why people gravitate towards me because I am NOT the usual personal trainer. I will completely agree with that. However, that does not make me a bad personal trainer. "I do have muscle, I do have strength, and I do have fitness and I show people that they can have that too." Eilish's video quickly racked up 69,000 views on her TikTok page (@eilish_shecoaching) with people applauding her "perfect response". Gym support And many nervous gymgoers have insisted she would be the dream personal trainer to work with. One said: "Honestly I wish there is more PTs that represented what the majority of females look like! You look incredible." "I would be more inclined to go to this woman for personal training, also serving body", wrote a second. A third agreed: "The way I would feel SO comfortable knowing I was working with someone who has felt things I've felt and struggled in ways I have." A fourth chimed in: "You'd be my number 1 pick if I could afford a PT. Your body looks like something I would aim to achieve, others are so unrealistic for me." A fifth pointed out: "Being fit is a testable measure, 'looking fit' is a bs beauty standard that is constantly changing. You're killing it girl and you're helping me try and get back into fitness." And a sixth echoed: "Being fit and looking fit can be two totally different things! You are absolutely smashing it." 5 The support has left modest Eilish overwhelmed - but has motivated her to help as many women as possible build healthier habits and their self-confidence. She said: "The pressure on people is massive, so if I can help, if I can show someone, one person, that they don't have to be that much under pressure, I'm more than happy to. "A lot of my clients are wanting to lose weight, but we're looking at sustainable and long-term ways of doing that, and still living your life. It's not a fad, it's general lifestyle changes. "It's all about knowing you deserve better, and changing that narrative. It's small steps, it's little bits at a time, but it makes such a difference. "And for me, it's celebrating their wins. Everyone's wins are different. So for someone it might be 'I've not binged this week' and that is absolutely incredible. "It's about how you feel, it's not just 'have you lost weight'." She continued: "Everyone's got different goals. Not everyone trains to look smaller or be smaller. "I love the fact that I'm not small and lean, and I can still look at myself, and find love. It's total self-acceptance. "Traditionally, personal training has always been to look a certain way, but it's not everyone's goal. "I want to be the change in the industry and I want to be able to help as many women as I possibly can, and men. Men suffer as well. "I'm actually just really excited to see what the rest of the year brings, because I hope this is the start of the big girl fights back, the Big Girl Takeover. That's what we're going for."


The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island fans beg bosses to axe islander after ‘cruel' comment to one girl
LOVE Island fans have begged bosses to axe Ben Holbrough after his cruel comment to Toni Laites on tonight's show. ITV2 viewers were left open-mouthed when Ben told some of his fellow Islanders that US Toni had given him the "ick". 4 4 4 It came after he snapped at her when she told him to "not make it all about himself". He then told Shakira in the kitchen that Toni had given him the "ick" and that there was no spark between them. After Shakira told Toni what Ben had said, the Connecticut based beauty pulled Ben aside for a chat, where he brutally ended their romantic connection. But those watching at home were gobsmacked at his brutal approach and have begged for him to be axed next. One wrote: "Ben is a loser, get him off Love Island." A second posted: "Ben is unnecessarily cruel, it's giving negging & all the red flags." A third said: "I feel so bad for Toni, Ben is VILE." "I wish I could vote Ben off right now," a fourth commented. The fallout came after Ben admitted she gave him the 'ick' after her reaction to Sophie Lee being sent home. Shock moment Love Island cast realise two islanders who AREN'T coupled up have secretly gone to the Hideaway after VERY awkward lapdance As the Islanders are still reeling about Shakira Khan choosing Harry Cooksley, Toni said: 'Boys, it's your turn, just saying - I don't think you're gonna be safe.' Ben replied: 'Are you saying me in particular?' Toni added: 'No it's about boys, not everything is about you.' Her comments didn't go down well with Ben and he walked off - leaving the others surprised by his reaction. Meg later told him: 'That was a bit much…I don't get what she said that was really offensive?' Ben replied: 'She said, 'Not everything is about you…' I just got the ick.' Ben then told Shakira he'd got the ick with Toni and Shakira lets Toni know about this and suggests she pulls him for a chat. Toni does exactly that and asks Ben: 'I've heard from people you said I'm giving you the ick?' It quickly turned sour and he told her: 'I don't feel like me and you have got that spark if I am being honest.' Looking taken aback she replied 'okay' as he continued: 'That is just me being honest but I know when I have got it with someone. That I feel it straight away. But yeah I don't feel like you and me have got it.' Toni told him: 'I mean I don't think that technique is going to work for you here.' He asked what she means and she replied: 'Right away off the bat.' Smirking, he responded: 'You'd be surprised. I feel like sparks have already been made.' A very unhappy Toni hits back: 'Good luck pal.' Ben asked Shakira to join him in the Hideaway for a chat, where he admitted he fancied her. 4