Casualty favourite Amanda Mealing has taken to Twitter to hit back at claims she is suffering from an eating disorder.
The 51-year-old actress, who plays Connie Beauchamp in the long-running BBC hospital drama, said: “I’m forced to address something I’d hoped not to. My weight.”
She added: “Luckily for some of you & your insensitivity I am not struggling with an eating disorder. I am in extreme & constant back pain and have been for nearly a year.”
The London-born star added of her gruelling schedule on Casualty: “Standing for 11 hrs a day takes its toll. End of.”
Fans immediately jumped to her defence, telling Amanda – who is mum to sons Milo, 20, and Otis, 17, with husband Richard Sainsbury – she was “beautiful inside and out” and that her weight was “no one’s business”.
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Her former co-star Paul Bradley, who played Elliot Hope on Holby City from 2005 to 2015, also offered his support.
The actor replied to Amanda’s tweet, saying: “Dearest Amanda I’m really sorry to hear that but not surprised. I hobbled about for a year and a half after Holby. It does take its toll. Love you x.”
Amanda, who first appeared as Connie in Holby City, responded, telling her former co-star: “Thank you my lovely Pauly. Miss you xxx.”
Amanda’s on-screen alter ego has had a tough time of late. Connie was attacked by a deceased patient’s daughter, with fans fearing for the much-loved character after she fell down a flight of stairs and was left for dead.
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However, Connie made a full recovery and, after appearing in the Casualty/Holby City crossover episodes earlier this month, has hinted that we may see her return to her “old friend” Holby, which she left in 2010.
“I didn’t realise how much I loved it, so we’ll see” she said of the show she left in 2010. “Do you know what, when I was there, I was walking around thinking, I’d like to come back. I love it there.”
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