Kimberley Walsh has defended Cheryl’s X Factor performance, saying she felt “like a proud mum”.
The former Girls Aloud singer licked her hand and writhed around in a tight black bodysuit on last weekend’s show.
Media regulator Ofcom received complaints “objecting to the sexual tone and clothing in Cheryl’s routine”.
The clean version of #LoveMadeMeDoIt is now available! 💃🏻 Click here to listen 🖤 https://t.co/HacOqYrCtP
— Cheryl (@CherylOfficial) 22 November 2018
Read more: Ofcom complaints about Cheryl’s X Factor performance rise
Speaking to Heart, Walsh said of her ex-bandmate: “I thought it was amazing. I loved seeing her … on there doing what she does.”
She said of the criticism: “I don’t even get into any of that. I’m not interested in any negativity.
“I like seeing my best friend up there doing her thing and I just felt proud to be honest. She’s out there doing her thing again. I felt like a proud mum.”
Cheryl later spoke out about Sunday’s performance of new track Love Made Me Do It, saying the “sheer level of unbalanced negativity” towards her was “shocking”.
In a statement on Twitter, Cheryl said: “I wanted to start by saying thank you all so much for your lovely comments and support for my performance on Sunday. You may not have read about them but I definitely saw and felt them!
“Having spent 16 years in the public eye I have always been accepting of people’s opinions. Me personally, my music and performances are never going to be for everyone. And that’s OK.”
She continued: “This level of relentless abuse should not be tolerated in any walk of life. From my appearance, my body size and shape to my performance and even dragging innocent people into this like they did to Nile Rodgers simply for a clickbait headline is totally uncalled for. It also gives the trolls a bigger voice and platform.
Hey… 🥰 pic.twitter.com/D6izQ3NBTT
— Cheryl (@CherylOfficial) 20 November 2018
Read more: Cheryl finally speaks on the backlash against her
“What’s even more surprising to me is that some of these people are the first to write that we should be being more socially aware and conscious of online bullying and mental health awareness. Is this any different?”
Kimberley also addressed a comment made by Nadine Coyle, who was quoted as saying Girls Aloud were never friends.
“I don’t want people to genuinely believe that there was no friendship,” she said. “We all went out together every single week. We all had some fab times.”
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