Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Davina McCall ignites feminist backlash after declaring women should keep their husbands sexually satisfied or risk adultery

The presenter said wives should make an effort even when they are 'absolutely exhausted' to stop husbands from straying

Jenn Selby
Monday 01 June 2015 10:36 BST
Comments

Davina McCall sparked a furious response on social media after she said that women should aim to keep their men satisfied “in the bedroom” – even when “exhausted” – or face the adulterous consequences.

The presenter, who has been married to Matthew Robertson for 15 years, detailed exactly what that entailed in an interview with the Telegraph this weekend.

“Matthew has strong views on underwear,” she said on wearing matching lingerie.

“You must keep your husband satisfied in the bedroom department, even if you’re absolutely exhausted. Otherwise he will go somewhere else.”

McCall was accused of perpetuating regressive gender stereotypes while putting the needs of men ahead of the sexual agency of women:

McCall has since responded with a blog post to clarify her comments.

“Argggghhhhhh! I've got myself in a controversy!!!! In the paper this weekend I talked about a couple of things that I would like to explain further,” she began.

“If I want to feel hot and sexy I wear nice undies... if I'm at work, and for practicality, I wear really boring ones... but always matching.

“Right, next… my husband…I do not submit to my husband, nor does he submit to me. My mum said, to keep your man happy, stay intimate.

“Sometimes, especially when the kids were very young and I was super tired, this was the last thing on my mind… has he ever coerced or pressured me? NO!!! But have I ever started feeling tired and finished feeling very happy? Yes!!”

“Can't really believe I am discussing this... And every single woman I know feels the same.Really what my mum was saying, and I also believe, is that if intimacy goes, for months, or a year, then it’s super hard to get back and it becomes 'a thing'.”

McCall then chased her blog with the following on Twitter:

McCall and Robertson renewed their wedding vows in Las Vegas in April.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in