A woman who appeared naked on Good Morning Britain has sparked fierce debate after hitting back at people who find nude sunbathing 'selfish and triggering'.
Naturist Helen Berriman, from the UK, was invited on the ITV show this morning to discuss the topic with brand and culture expert Nick Ede.
She is a a freelance naked lifestyle writer, journalist and also a Women in Naturism Officer for British Naturism, a UK national Naturist organisation.
The pair were discussing an incident which recently took place at Hampstead Heath pond in North London where staff called the police on a naked sunbather who refused to cover themselves up.
To argue her point more effectively, Helen decided to appear on the panel - hosted by former MP Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins - in the nude, meaning ITV had to blur out her naked chest.
She said: 'With all those things going on in the world at the moment, are we really that bothered by a nude body sunbathing in a quiet corner of a park?'
'There's so much else going on that we could be concerned about.'
In response, Nick said that he was 'completely' bothered by the thought of people sunbathing in the nude - even though there is now law currently prohibiting it.
He joked: 'The only bush I want to see when I'm having a sandwich is a green one with birds in it!
'I have issues with it because I think it's a very selfish thing. It's about you and your empowerment and I completely understand body positivity which I think is fantastic.
'But you're not taking into consideration the other people within that environment who might be a little bit triggered, who might find it a bit offensive, [...] or something you only see in the bedroom or when you're having a shower.'
However, Helen questioned why the public at large should be triggered by a show of nudity - then joking she could be 'triggered' by the colour of Nick's top.
Hitting back at this, Nick added: 'But from a nudity point of view, people are told to avert their eyes, whether you're with your children or your family, people see it as offensive. That might be a conditioning thing.'
Taking issue with this, Helen said: 'How is it offensive? It's just a body.
You've got one. You've got one in the shower and it's naked as well presumably.
'How is that offensive? That someone is just lying [down sunbathing].'
Unsurprisingly, the debate sparked some lively conversations among viewers - who expressed their views on the matter on Twitter.
'Just watched this,' one wrote. 'We would be most upset if our kids saw naked people in the park!'
Another added: 'Do what you like in private, but I certainly don't want to walk through my local park and see people with their bits hanging out...'
Adding onto this, a third said: 'I think if you sunbathe naked in a park should be ok but you should have a windbreaker or something around you. Being naked isn’t offensive but it’s private.'
A fourth replied: 'If you want to go naked, fine not a problem. But please do consider others
Perhaps the local park isn't the place and as far as being naked in your back garden, go for it! Neighbours should mind their own business & not look into your garden.'
No thanks,' a fifth said. 'Kids don't need to see it.'
Taking Helen's side, a sixth responded: 'It's flesh, we all have bodies, they shouldn't be seen as dirty or something to feel shame about. I walk around naked at home all the time.'
Elsewhere in the segment, Helen explained how she first became a naturist after attending a convention with her husband which left her feeling 'free'.
She said: 'It was a "Eureka!" moment for me, I sort of realised that my body is just my body and there's nothing sensational about it and there's no need to sexualise it.
'It literally is just my body and I accept it as it is.'
Although it isn't illegal to be naked in public in England and Wales, under Section 66 of Sexual Offences Act 2023, people need to make sure that it is not 'causing distress or alarm' to others.
The Crown Prosecution Service guidelines read: 'In the case of naturism a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress.'
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