Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher continues to hit back at body shaming and ageist criticism

A columnist accused her of having a 'twittantrum'

Fisher appeared in the first Star Wars film in 1977 (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Matchless)

Carrie Fisher has furthered her attack on those criticising her appearance in the latest Star Wars film The Force Awakens, a day after she was forced to defend herself on Twitter following a barrage of ageist and body-shaming abuse.

On Tuesday Fisher, 59, sent a message to her 837,000 Twitter followers asking them to stop debating whether she has aged well and re-tweeted statements from supporters who suggested her co-stars Harrison Ford, 73, and Mark Hamill, 64, do not face the same level of scrutiny.

She wrote: “Please stop debating about whether or not I have aged well. Unfortunately it hurts all 3 of my feelings. My body hasn’t aged as well as I have. Blow us.”

Unfortunately, it appears the message may not have been received as on Wednesday Fisher responded to a New York Post columnist who suggested if she “doesn’t like being judged on looks, she should quit acting”.

Kyle Smith criticised Fisher’s “twittantrum” (tantrum on Twitter for those unclear). He proposed: “Fisher made millions off being pretty. Far from being bitter about this, she and other actresses who profited nicely from their looks should be grateful they had a turn at the top.”

The actress responded on Twitter telling the “genius” columnist: “Ok, I quit acting. NOW, can I not like being judged for my looks? Tell me what to do & who to be, oh wise New York post columnist. u GENIUS.” (sic)

She also posted more eccentrically-written tweets, filled with emojis and capital letters, asking: "Am I obliged 2 entertain U w/my appearance?”

Fisher used the tweet to make an important point about the harsh scrutiny of the appearance of women in the public eye while also attaching more pictures of her beloved dog Gary.

Fisher appeared in the first Star Wars film, A New Hope in 1977. Earlier this month she revealed she had to lose weight for the latest film , saying: “Nothing changes, it’s an appearance-driven thing.”