Good Morning Britain: Kerry Katona In Fiery Debate Over New Look's Padded Bikinis For Nine-Year-Olds

Good Morning Britain has never shied away from controversial topics, with this morning's edition of the breakfast show seeing hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley discuss padded swimwear for young girls.

The topic arose after high street fashion outlet, New Look, came under fire for selling a padded bikini top for girls as young as nine - something that Kerry Katona felt was outrageous.

Watch the video below.

"I'm really gobsmacked," she said. "I expect to see my nine-year-old, maybe in a two-piece, wearing a bit of Frozen, maybe Trolls... putting padding in a bikini for a nine-year-old child will make them very self-conscious of their body.

"I wouldn't want my nine-year-old to say to me, 'Mummy, why aren't my breasts like that other little girl?' It's so wrong."

Kerry then pointed towards social media as another culprit giving women and young girls a negative body image.

"We've got filters, people looking at social media and wondering why their life is not like that," she said. "Children need to be children, and that is it.

"Are we going to start putting padded trunks for boys next? The world's gone mad."

However, the opposing argument was brought by Tessa Hartmann, a brand strategist.

ITV)

"Padded bikini tops can be a really good thing for body-conscious young teenage girl," she argued. "The whole point of it is choice. If you don't actually want to buy it, then don't buy it."

Tessa then said drew attention to Kerry's work for adult website, OnlyFans.

"What I do for an over 18's site is completely different than giving a nine-year-old padded breasts!" Kerry shot back angrily.

The debate spilled out over on Good Morning Britain's Twitter, with some viewers staunchly backing Kerry.

"Go on Kerry, say it as it is," one woman wrote. "These garments are a huge no-no for 9 year olds...let our children be children, for goodness sake."

ITV)

Another chipped in: "I think this is total wrong to sexualise young girls and to make them so body conscious."

While a third said: "Let children be children. A lot of child mental illness is around not fitting in. So let's not put this pressure on a 9 year old."

However, others saw Tessa's point, and said that young girls who developed very young should be given the option of modesty.

"My 8 year granddaughter's body has begun to change she now wears slightly padded bras for her own confidence," one woman wrote.

Twitter)

"They clearly didn't experience puberty at nine like I did," another said. "I started periods and had breasts at that age. I was embarrassed to go in a pool because of it. Adults are sexualising the idea not the product itself. I wish I had these."

"Young girls can develop very early," agreed another. "It can be embarrassing. Maybe instead of thinking of the sexual side, think of the child who doesn't feel comfortable going in the pool."

Topics: Good Morning Britain, GMB, ITV

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley