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So, tonight I was invited to join the Radio 5 Live debate about Kate Moss's comment "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".

It was interesting!  Giles had some incredibly contentious views, which I really didn't agree with.  He talked a lot about how we don't need food, and how humans should be skin and bones, like we were throughout history - ummmm really?  What about the beautifully curvy women seen in paintings for hundreds of years? 

It seems to be just terrible that there is an intellectual public debate where views such as Coren's are discussed - and that's not criticising Giles personally.  If you read his article in the Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/giles_coren/ you'll read that Giles himself has huge body issues.  He weighs himself 6 times every morning, he seems obsessed with his own weight and size.

My worry is that he's not alone, and that too many of us worry this much about our own body image -and that's why I'm pushing Body Gossip so much.  It's awful that so many people obsess so much about their bodies - how can we stop this insecurity and self-loathing that so many of us feel?

Giles got a lot of criticism tonight, which I must say he deserved - his views were at times ridiculous, at other times offensive.  But what worries me most of all is the fact that he is clearly just as obsessed with body image as so many people in the UK, and that this obsession will take over his life, so that he doesn't enjoy his life.  He said he doesn't eat for days on end - he's missing out on so much enjoyment!

I'll write more when it's not late - to be honest tonight was an odd experience, I was literally onstage in 'War Horse' 5 minutes before the interview on Radio 5 Live, and it's taken me this long to digest it all - but yes more shall be written about the interview, but for now, all I have to say is this: If you listened tonight, or if you didn't but have something to say about your body, write your story and send it to story@bodygossip.org.  Your story could be performed live onstage by a celebrity cast, and you could take part in the revolution that is Body Gossip.

Ruth x

For the 3rd time EVER, Body Gossip took to the stage with a script of brand new stories written by the incredible:

Elizabeth Caproni, Amy Clode, Graeme Dalling, Amber Dodd, Andrea Georgios, Sabrina Mahfouz, P Molyneux, Shelley Mounter and Kate Tym.

The theatre that seated 250 was very nearly sold out (and those who weren't there MISSED OUT!) and there was a very interesting QnA afterwards where we all met Xaviera Hollander, the famous writer of 'The Happy Hooker', who was in the audience.

The paps were out in force and you can see the images from the show here:

http://www.wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?igi=385321&s=body%20gossip&sfld=C&vwmd=e

And for the after-show party pics, look no further than right here Body Gossip fans:

Rachael Haddon (No. 1 BG Fan), Natalie Cassidy, Nikki Grahame and winning writer Elizabeth Caproni

Shobna Gulati and Caterer Supreme, Ryan

Ruth with winning writers Elizabeth Caproni, Graeme Dalling, Amber Dodd and Kate Tym

Rachael Haddon and Body Gossip Ruth

What a night, one to remember, and I'm really proud that Body Gossip made it all the way to Scotland - after all, the sofa was there way back in August 2007! (Check out the vids in the video gallery for proof - inc. Reginald D. Hunter, Jason Byrne, Adam Hills and Andre Vincent all Body Gossiping like good uns!)

Ruth x

The fantastic Lizzie Roper has been confirmed as the fifth member of the Body Gossip team in Edinburgh - she'll be joining Natalie Cassidy, Anne Diamond, Nikki Grahame and Shobna Gulati on Monday 17th August at Assembly Hall, Edinburgh..

..And I'm pretty excited I can tell you! Things are going really well Body Gossip-wise.  We've got features in the Scotsman, Closer magazine, OK Magazine, the Daily Mail and Natalie, Anne and Shobna are going to be on BBC Radio Scotland on Monday morning!

So, Natalie and I will be in Edinburgh from Friday 14th August - look out for us.  We'll be doing as much publicity as possible, whilst fitting in some plays as well of course..!

And the rest of the gang join us on Sunday. 

I can't believe that Body Gossip is about to premiere 13 brand new stories at the Edinburgh Fringe - it's pretty scary actually, but I know it will be fab!

If you can, join us: tickets are £10, available from www.assemblyfestival.com

1/3 of ticket sales go directly to Beat.

Ruth x

That's right, I really can't stop Body Gossiping...even on holiday.

Body Gossip reached new heights recently when it appeared at the top of Ben Nevis!

Yes that's right, check this out:

That's my sister, the amazin' Liz Rogers, on the top of Ben Nevis in her Body Gossip T-shirt.

OK people, the precedent has been set - who can Body Gossip the best???

At the moment my sister wins, close second Chloe doing the Great North Run.

Let the games begin...

...well at least, Ruth is and therefore so is Body Gossip! I'm off to spend 10 days on the Greek Islands with my boyfriend. A holiday? Well, sort of...I'll also be organising Body Gossip's one-off show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival while I'm gone, so don't worry, there really is no rest for the wicked!

So, we've been talked about on This Morning and Loose Women, discussed in the Daily Mail, The Mirror, Closer, Now and Reveal magazines - and check out this article in Heat magazine!

If you want to gossip about us, click here.

Check out my amazing friend Chloe doing the Great North Run with her Body Gossip T-Shirt on!

Chloe has come to see both Body Gossip performances so far, and is one of our biggest fans (she has to be, she's my best mate.. But I also think she would love it even if she didn't have to!)

If you want to buy a Body Gossip T-shirt, just email ruth@bodygossip.org and I'll send you one!

T-shirts are £6 plus postage and packaging.

 

So, my next scheme is to take a brand new script of stories about real bodies to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - but I can't do it if I don't get the stories!

If you'd like to share your story, your thoughts, your arguments, your opinions about your body, and body image - it's so easy.  Just go to The Competition.

Send it in by the end of July, and your story could be performed by a celebrity at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

And proceeds of every Body Gossip show go directly to Beat (www.b-eat.co.uk), who are working to beat eating disorders.

They are awesome.

And so are you - so get writing, get sharing, get celebrating.

Love, Ruth x

Here's some amazing pics, taken by my sister Liz Rogers, of the 2nd Body Gossip performance - which went REALLY well!

The cast:

Natalie Cassidy:

Anne Diamond:

Cerrie Burnell:

Nikki Grahame:

Mikyla Dodd:

Chloe Marshall:

Donna-Leigh Bailey:

Zaraah Abrahams:

Shobna Gulati:

Chris Russell:

Paris Jefferson:

Ewen MacIntosh, Zaraah Abrahams, Shobna Gulati, Cerrie Burnell and Nikki Grahame:

Bigging up Body Gossip!