Kirstie Allsopp says bosses at one production company demanded she tone things down for modern audiences. Photo / Getty
Kirstie Allsopp says bosses at one production company demanded she tone things down for modern audiences. Photo / Getty
As property guru and queen of all things craft, Kirstie Allsopp has graced our television screens for nearly two decades. Despite her penchant for dresses with ornate frills and delicate laces, some critics have criticised her for a sometimes overbearing manner and a habit of speaking her mind that means she is never far from controversy.
But, the 46-year-old presenter of Location, Location, Location has revealed how bosses at one production company issued her with an "edict" demanding she tone things down for today's more right on audience.
The mother of two says she was told that some of her more challenging words and phrases could even be seen as bordering on sexual harassment.
In an interview with The Times she said bosses at a production company issued her with a proclamation that triggered a stark response about her thoughts on modern day politically correct attitudes.
Referring to the proclamation from executives at the unnamed company, she said: "It said that use of affectionate terms such as 'darling' constitute sexual harassment. I said, 'This is ridiculous.' It's belittling an incredibly important document about disability language, sexist language, racist language. That's what frustrates me about this whole debate."
She claimed some of her earlier flirting and knowing asides to camera with her co-host, Phil Spencer, on Location, Location, Location would simply be unacceptable for today viewers. Ms Allsopp and Mr Spencer, 48, both referred to "silly jokes" they shared on screen. One such incident they recalled included him joking about looking up her skirt as she ascended a ladder at a house they were filming.
Referring to the allegations made against film mogul Harvey Weinstein, she said people should know the difference between idle banter and sexual harassment and bullying.
"It's really important that anyone who has been in a compromising situation in the workplace where they feel unhappy and bullied should be able to stick their hand up. Phil making a silly comment about looking up my skirt is not that," she continued.
"There is a difference and we all need to know the difference. Funny as it would be seeing Phil hauled up, it'd never happen. A man more respectful of other women I literally have never come across."
Kirstie Allsopp with her Location, Location, Location co-host Phil Spencer in 2015. Photo / Getty
Although she claimed some shows had been re-edited to remove such jokes for today's more sensitive television audience, Channel 4 denied any had been cut.
Ms Allsopp, the daughter of the 6th Baron Hindlip and so can call herself the Honourable Kirstie Allsopp, is no stranger to controversy.
Earlier this year, she was "attacked and mocked" on Twitter after she used it to declare that having a washing machine in the kitchen was "disgusting".
Instead, she said such contraptions should be consigned to the "tiny laundry room", bathroom, hall or airing cupboard.
"It is disgusting," she wrote. "My life's work is in part dedicated to getting washing machines out of the kitchen," before adding: "Please not there is a degree of humour in this debate, no need to take it too seriously."
Her comments led to claims that Ms Allsopp, who grew up with David Cameron as a family friend, was "out of touch" and "snobby". Not one to hold back, Ms Allsopp branded her critics "f***wits" before closing that Twitter account.
In 2014, she came in for a backlash after she told The Telegraph that if she had a daughter she would tell her to shun university and instead buy a flat, find a boyfriend and have a baby by the age of 27.
She said: "Darling, do you know what? Don't go to university. Start work straight after school, stay at home, save up your deposit – I'll help you, let's get you into a flat. And then we can find you a nice boyfriend and you can have a baby by the time you're 27."
Along with her property developer partner, Ben Andersen, their two sons and his two children from a previous relationship, they have a home in London and another in Devon.
