Exclusive:
Ashley James, who took on controversial sex worker Bonnie Blue on This Morning, confesses in an exclusive interview that she loves challenging ‘toxic’ views on the telly
Known for sharing her outspoken opinions as a regular guest on This Morning, Ashley James admits she has absolutely no plans to tone down when it comes to those fiery TV debates – and as she tells OK!, she’s doing it all for her children.
The 37-year-old TV personality and former model got her first taste of fame as a cast member of Made In Chelsea, but these days she is more often seen alongside Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning, where she reviews the news, advocates for women and is frequently open about her own struggles through motherhood, mental health and everything in between.
“I feel very privileged to be on This Morning – it’s one of the most exciting daytime shows and I love everyone I work with,” says Ashley, as we chat at the London premiere of Cirque Du Soleil’s new show, Corteo. “I’ve learned so much from Cat and Ben – they’re amazing and have been so nice. I’ve known Ben for years but I’d never met Cat before doing the show and she’s got such a friendly, amazing energy. She treats everyone the same from the green room to the set and is a joy to work with. She’s also one of my childhood crushes!”
Ashley isn’t afraid to challenge her fellow celebrities on their more controversial views – something she prides herself on. From clashing with OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue, who made headlines last month by claiming to have had sex with “1,000 men in one day”, to condemning influencer Andrew Tate, Ashley says she’s keen to educate others about “toxic” views. “I am really passionate about things like this,” she says.
“I was really grateful for the chance to get to speak to Bonnie Blue [during an interview on This Morning]. She’s obviously making waves on social media and maybe a lot of adults and parents might not be aware of what’s going on. So I think it opened a really important conversation and I felt like she’d never really been challenged before. Yes, she’s been shamed, but I wasn’t really interested in shaming her or her promiscuity. I’m more concerned about the messaging she’s putting out there. It can be really damaging and toxic.”
Speaking late last year, following her debate with Bonnie, Ashley said, “My issue with Bonnie is not that she has decided to go on to OnlyFans or that she has decided to have sex with lots of different people, because who are any of us to judge? The issue I have with her – and based on the comments and feedback I received after our This Morning interview, the issue many people have with her – is that she has become a sort of poster girl for incel culture by reinforcing a patriarchal standard and expectation that guys need loads of sex, and if women don’t please them it is within a man’s rights to look elsewhere.”
Ashley, who has two children – Alfie, four, and 23-month-old Ada – with her partner Tommy Andrews says having kids has made her all the more passionate about challenging damaging viewpoints. “As a mum I’m probably more concerned about the future and how it’s looking,” she says. “I feel like I’m worried not only for my daughter’s future but also for my son’s. In a world where there’s so much online influence, there’s a rise in misogyny, people like Andrew Tate, increased access to porn – I think we’d be silly not to worry about boys as much as girls.”
She adds: “I’ve been made to be passionate by other chapters in my life too. Like, I remember being single in my thirties and child-free and there was a lot of judgement, shame and social expectations around that before I met my partner. Naturally, anyone feels pressure as they get older and are single, but I really try to look into that and challenge it. I think we should never judge ourselves by outdated timelines. We are living in a time where we have choice and freedom to do whatever is right for us.”
Reflecting on how she deals with the negative aspects of being in the public eye, she says, “In a way, the better you do, the more you’re exposed to trolling and backlash. I’ve learned to not let other people’s issues impact me because I guess that’s what it is – trolling and stuff is their unhappiness projected on to you. I’ve learned not to let it bother me. I try to focus on raising women up and not just women. I like to think that I fight social injustice.”
Ashley has been upfront about the challenges facing new parents, previously admitting that her life did feel rather “boring” when Alfie was a newborn. “I’d dread being on my own with him for long periods,” she said. “I felt like I’d ruined my life.” But now he’s older, she says she adores hanging out with Alfie and having fun together – although she does love getting her glad rags on occasionally.
“I’m out with friends tonight,” she says. “It’s important to remember that you deserve things as well because you give so much to the kids and to work. It’s hard to juggle it all, but you do your best.” Between parenting two young children and fighting the good fight on TV, we’d say Ashley deserves the night off.
