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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is India Willoughby, the newsreader at loggerheads with J.K. Rowling?
(Image: Instagram) India Willoughby is a popular TV personality in the UK. Born on September 2, 1965, in London and raised in Carlisle, Cumbria, India has carved a unique path as a journalist, broadcaster, and reality TV personality. She holds the distinction of being the UK's first transgender national television newsreader and the first trans co-host of the all-women talk show, Loose Women. In March 2024, India became embroiled in a public dispute with author J.K. Rowling. Rowling referred to India as a "man" on social media, prompting India to file a police complaint, alleging that Rowling's comments constituted a hate crime under the Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act. Rowling defended her statements, citing her gender-critical views and freedom of speech. Northumbria Police reviewed the complaint but concluded that it did not meet the criminal threshold. "For J.K. Rowling to deliberately misgender me knowing who I am is grossly offensive. It is a hate crime. I don't know if (the police report is) going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications, but it's a cut-and-dried offense, as far as I'm concerned," she had told the media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Meanwhile, after this Rowling had posted on X about having a "clearly winnable case against India Willoughby for defamation" and added that "India's obsessive targeting of me over the past few years may meet the legal threshold for harassment. " What is India Willoughby's real name? India Willoughby was born as Jonathan Willoughby. Her journey from Jonathan to India is a testament to her courage and determination to live authentically. Before her transition, Jonathan Willoughby was a familiar face on ITV's Border News, covering major stories in Carlisle, Cumbria. India's journey in journalism began in the late 1980s. She worked as a TV reporter at ITV Border, covering news in the North East and Cumbria. In 2010, she left ITV Border and, for a period, led a double life: living as a woman in Newcastle during the week while presenting as male in Carlisle on weekends. This period of personal conflict culminated in her decision to transition. In 2015, she underwent gender reassignment surgery , aligning her physical self with her gender identity . Post-transition, India's career reached new heights. Her appearance on Loose Women in 2017 marked another milestone, as she became the show's first trans co-host. India's candid discussions about her experiences brought visibility to transgender issues and opened up conversations in mainstream media . In 2018, India participated in Celebrity Big Brother, a season themed "Year of the Woman" to commemorate the centenary of women's suffrage in the UK. Her time on the show was marked by frank discussions about gender identity. Despite being the first contestant evicted, India's appearance further solidified her status as a prominent transgender figure in British media . India has been an outspoken advocate for transgender rights, using her platform to address issues of representation and equality. However, her visibility has also made her a target for online abuse. In 2023, she reported receiving a death threat from the neo-Nazi group National Action, leading to police protection under the Counter Terrorism Command . India is a mother to one son and has been open about her journey, including undergoing facial feminization surgery in order to align her appearance with her gender identity .
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Cumbrian woman's 20 year journey to tackle severe pain leads to endometriosis diagnosis
Watch this report by ITV Border reporter Katie Templeton-Knight A Cumbrian woman's 20 year journey to find the source of severe pain she was suffering on a daily basis has came to an end following robotic surgery. Lauren Siddle was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and a couple of weeks ago had life-changing robotic surgery to fix it. She had previously seen her doctor on numerous occasions but was often dismissed. Speaking to ITV Border, she said: "I did go to the doctors about it but they just said that everyone's pain tolerances are different. "So I just thought that I couldn't deal with the pain of my period. I ended up taking a lot of pain medication and that is the only thing that could get me through my cycles. "Every month was the same, the pain was never really worse one month to another and my husband having to call an ambulance out to the house numerous times just to give me anti-sickness injections to stop me being sick so I could get some pain medication. "My husband would fill up my hot water bottle all through the night for me just trying to burn the pain away." What are some of the symptoms of endometriosis? Pelvic pain Painful periods that interfere with everyday life Heavy menstrual bleeding Pain during or after sex Painful bowel movements/when having a poo Pain when urinating/peeing Difficulty getting pregnant Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms Lauren eventually went to a private doctor to get a diagnosis after severe back pain led to long days on her feet which became unbearable. She said: "The diagnosis that I had was that my ovaries had stuck to my spine which was causing all the pain in my back. I had to be referred for robotic surgery because it was really severe. "So the difference with robotic surgery and standard keyhole surgery is that when you have standard keyhole surgery it is burnt away but robotic surgery gets cut down to the root of endometriosis so it is less likely to come back. "It had gone into the cavity of my bowel which I just keep thinking back if I didn't have the back pain it absolutely would have went into my bowel and that is when they have to remove your bowel and other organs depending on where it had gone to. "I am in a way thankful I had the back pain because it really pushed me to take it into my own hands." The surgery Lauren had cost ten thousand pounds with the treatment also available on the NHS. Waiting times though for an endometriosis diagnosis can be around eight years, with Lauren feeling fortunate that private healthcare was an option for her. She said: "Obviously I was lucky I have had private healthcare for years and I know I could have used it this whole time to get answers but I feel like when you go to your local doctor and you are told it is just period pain and everyone goes through this, I kind of felt like you just believe it and that is the answer. "I remember walking out thinking I really can't deal with pain and I must be really weak with my pain level." A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Too many women are facing unacceptable waits for gynaecology treatment, and we know that more needs to be done to support women with endometriosis. 'We are overhauling women's healthcare through our Plan for Change to make sure the NHS is there for all women when they need it, including utilising the private sector to cut gynaecology waiting lists. 'This government is committed to prioritising women's health as we build an NHS fit for future. We will ensure that women's voices are listened to, and that women's health is never neglected again."
ITV News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Dumfries teenager preparing for life in Canada as she pursues ice skating dream
A Dumfries teenager is preparing to move her life to Canada to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ice skater. Larissa Maxwell is back in her hometown to sit her exams after spending a few weeks in North America before she moves for a year to join the Nova Juniors ice skating team. Speaking to ITV Border at the Dumfries Ice Bowl, the 17-year-old said: "I have never been to the Canadian competitions so I think that will be really fun. I also will like to see the environments a bit more and see what it is all about. 'I have been skating for quite a few years, it is definitely a tough sport. "I think it is not recognised as much, it is still not an Olympic sport so understandably some people think differently but the amount of hard work I have already put in I just keep improving. There is always things to improve on and it motivates me even more to keep trying." Her mum, Lisa, is extremely supportive of Larrisa's journey and moving so far from home at such a young age. Speaking on the emotions of seeing her teenage daughter travel half way across the world, Lisa said: "The day that she phoned me at work to say that she got an email inviting her for an interview I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or be sick. "I had every emotion going and even just taking her to the airport for the two weeks she was out there was tears. She came back having had an amazing time and the coaches are so supportive. "They were so kind and made me feel completely at ease, the host family are lovely and they told me they would look after he like she was their own. I feel very comfortable with it all, it is an amazing opportunity." Larissa aims to join the police when her journey in ice skating is finished and is using the year away from home to gain some valuable life experience. She said: "This year away is my time to just improve on my skating before I go into the police, that is where I would like to go. I would like to be in the mounted police and have been horse riding for many years."
ITV News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Former Scottish Secretary Alister Jack demands apology from Nicola Sturgeon on gender debate
Former Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has called on Nicola Sturgeon and her 'partner in crime' John Swinney to apologise for pushing now-abandoned gender reforms. In his first interview since quitting as an MP at least year's general election, Mr Jack also suggested that he thought Boris Johnson was capable of escaping the partygate scandals and winning a fifth term in government for the Conservatives. One of the most significant acts of Mr Jack's five years in the cabinet, where he was the only senior minister to survive every reshuffle during an often tumultuous period in power for the Tories, was to block Scottish government plans to make it easier for people to change their gender. He told ITV Border that last month's ruling by the Supreme Court that the terms woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex' was a 'vindication' for his decision. 'I feel very strongly that Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney, who was definitely her partner in crime on this, should apologise to those women who were fighting that case,' he said. 'They were vilified and they were demonised by Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney and others in the SNP and that was completely wrong and they should get a proper public apology.' Mr Jack said the treatment of people who opposed the bill was 'disgraceful' and highlighted comments by former First Minister Ms Sturgeon in 2023 where she said that some critics of the reforms were 'deeply misogynist, often homophobic, possibly some of them racist as well'. He also revealed that he secured the backing of then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to wield the veto just seven days after the legislation had been passed at Holyrood. On Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon told reporters at Holyrood that trans lives could become 'unliveable' following the Supreme Court's judgment. She said she 'fundamentally and respectfully disagreed' with calls for her to apologise to her critics on gender. She said that how the court's ruling is implemented would be key to its impact on trans people's lives. She said she would be 'very concerned' if interim guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission that says trans women should not be allowed to use women's facilities in public places became law, adding: 'I think that potentially makes the lives of trans people almost unlivable.' Mr Swinney has said that he accepts the court's judgment but has no regrets about supporting the legislation, which would have allowed people to self-identify in their chosen gender. Mr Jack, who was a loyal supporter of Mr Johnson, said it was wrong of his party to force him from office. It followed a mass revolt from his cabinet, including his future successor Mr Sunak, over a series of scandals including lockdown parties in Downing Street and allegations of inappropriate behaviour by MPs. But Mr Jack remained in post. A cross-party investigation into 'partygate' concluded Mr Johnson had deliberately misled the House and would have been suspended from parliament for 90 days had he remained an MP. Mr Jack said he was 'loyal' to Mr Johnson and believed he should not have quit. 'He was only five points behind in the opinion polls and it was mid-term,' he said. 'We then dropped very quickly and lost our reputation for economic competence over the next seven weeks and we dropped 20 points, which we never recovered from. And I felt that Boris could pull things round again.' He blamed Liz Truss's fiscal statement, which caused turmoil in the financial markets and led to an increase in interest rates and, as a result, people's mortgages, as the key factor for the Tories' devastating defeat last summer. He also warned MPs against ousting Kemi Badenoch as the UK party leader in the wake of more poor results in the English local elections. 'I think we've tried replacing leaders and it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference,' he said. 'I think what we've got to do is rebuild trust with the public and actually the public has to forgive us for the things that we've talked about. It just takes time for that to happen.' Mr Jack said the Conservatives should not consider any deal with Reform UK and accused First Minister Mr Swinney of 'trying to give them as much profile as possible' to split the vote amongst unionist parties ahead of next year's Holyrood election. He also said that politicians should be allowed to place bets as long as there is no insider trading or conflict of interest. Mr Jack admitted placing bets on the date of the general election before it was called but the Gambling Commission found he had not done anything wrong with his actions.
