Yahoo Finance Denise Welch criticised over comments defending influencers' trips abroad
Watch: Denise Welch defends influencers taking trips abroad
Denise Welch's defence of social media influencers’ trips abroad has been met with criticism.
On Monday's Loose Women, the actor said the pandemic had created a "judgmental society" and that some may need to work for financial reasons.
It comes as all countries of the UK are under lockdown restrictions, where international travel is prohibited. However, there are exceptions with work being one of them.
Read more: Olivia Attwood slams influencers claiming to need to travel abroad for work
"I think that some people are misjudging the tone of the nation and I get that," she said.
"But, at the same time, I think that what's happening in the pandemic is that we're creating a very, very, very judgmental society."
Welch went on: "Because the rules have been a little bit woolly, at the moment you can't travel except if it's for work, but only a few weeks ago you actually could.
"And those people that were adhering to the holiday rules – is that they were getting a test before they went, some of them were getting another test when they got there, and regardless of what 'Sue from Facebook' thought about this, they were actually following the rules."
After fellow panellist Linda Robson disagreed with her point of view, Welch continued: "They may have a mortgage to pay, and they've got children."
However, some viewers also took umbrage with what Welch had to say.
One of those watching at home said: "Lmao Denise all these influencers have serious cash & no children pls don’t pull the devil’s advocate they need an income uwu #LooseWomen."
Lmao Denise all these influencers have serious cash & no children pls don’t pull the devil’s advocate they need an income uwu #LooseWomen
— tofu fuelled bampot 🤠 (@spicyvegbaws) January 18, 2021
"Oh shut up Denise. You'll be telling us they're essential workers next...#LooseWomen," a second stated.
A third noted: "An influencer is not a bloody job and if they can’t make ends meet without getting papped in Dubai then get a checkout job. #loosewomen."
While a fourth opined: "The influencers are mostly reality tv stars! That is not an essential job! They are taking the mick out of hard working people and the NHS #loosewomen."
Many reality stars have been pictured holidaying in Dubai in particular in recent weeks including Love Island's Laura Anderson and Georgia Harrison and Towie's James Lock.
Harrison's Instagram bio states she is currently living in the country, while Anderson appears to have flown back to the UK.
Anderson did address the backlash however as she said in a video to her Instagram Stories that the reality of being an influencer is "not that great".
Read more: Molly-Mae defends taking trip abroad
"I saw someone in my comments saying you're on holiday, but when you're working you're not on holiday.
"On holiday doesn't mean just in the sun," The Mirror quotes her as saying.
Lock has seemingly been enjoying a weeks-long holiday with girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou, but posted photos of himself suggesting he was "at work” while out there.
Love Island star Anton Danyluk sent a similar message, according to The Guardian, when he shared a photo of his laptop with a skyline view behind it, captioning the snap: "Love my office view."
The United Arab Emirates was removed from the UK's travel corridor list last week, with UK nationals now facing 10 days of isolation on their return home.
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