Ulrika should 'take courage' from AGEING FALLOUT

After the star faced a cruel backlash over her looks, Woman's columnist Suzie Hayman praises her honesty

- Stephen Leng

Many fans were shocked when Ulrika Jonsson announced she had done one year sober in June – unaware that she had ever struggled with alcohol. Although she had revealed in December 2024 that she had gone six months, the true depths of her problem were only revealed recently.

In a new podcast interview, Ulrika – who turns 58 this month – opened up on the details, admitting that she was ‘necking rum from the bottle’ and confronted by a friend who said that when she had called her, she didn’t understand what she was saying as she was drunkenly slurring so much.

Surprise reaction

But there was a shock backlash resulting from the podcast – which had been recorded on video – about her appearance, with people remarking about how ‘old’ she appeared, and commenting on her deep tan and decision not to wear makeup. Understandably upset by the keyboard warriors’ remarks, Swedish-born Ulrika took matters into her own hands, posting an update on her Instagram, challenging what they had said and revealing the truth about the way she looked. The former weather presenter and Gladiators host wrote, ‘I wore no makeup. Partly because I kinda forgot that a project for the ears is nowadays also a feast for the eyes. But as someone who has had to wear heavy makeup on screen from 5am for years, I’m not a fan.