THE pictures of painfully thin Cheryl Fernandez-Versini at the Manchester auditions for The X Factor were worrying.

Worse, whatever the reason for her skeletal appearance, she sends out a very poor message about acceptable weight and eating habits to a young female population slavishly copying celebrities.

While you just hope Cheryl can improve her health and appearance soon, it’s worth looking at another public icon for a spot of sensible contrast.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, now 55, wore her bikini as part of her programme’s latest slimming campaign. She looked shapely and trim, but admitted that she’d never have felt good posing in a bikini in her 20s or 30s and had struggled with her weight.

Whether they like it or not, females in the public spotlight have a duty to their fans. They must acknowledge the influence they have on them, and reflect this as an accepted part of their fame.

I’m sure most people would prefer a Lorraine to a Cheryl currently when it comes to body image.