Dr Alex George bravely reveals he suffered with an eating disorder after being fat-shamed at work 

Dr Alex George bravely reveals he suffered with an eating disorder and ‘didn’t eat for days’ after being fat-shamed by two women at work. 

The former Love Island star, 32, who works as the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador and an A&E doctor, penned a heartfelt post to his Instagram. 

Recalling the incident from ‘a few years ago,’ Alex said he could still hear the women’s ‘cruel laughter’ as they ‘squeezed his tummy’ in the canteen.

Uploading a photo of himself in scrubs, he included a lengthy caption in order to raise awareness for eating disorders.  

Alex began: ‘I’m going to tell you a story, that I never intended to share, but I believe is important in raising awareness.’

He continued: ‘A few years ago, I was queuing in the cafe to get my lunch when two women came up to me. “Alright Dr Alex” was quickly followed by the other squeezing my tummy and saying, “You’ve put on a lot of weight since Love Island!!”‘

They walked off laughing. This was in front of a queue of people as well as others sat around the canteen. I was mortified and ashamed. 

‘I felt so disgusted with myself that I left the queue and not only didn’t eat for the rest of the shift, but nothing for the rest of the day or the next. This was followed by binge eating for several days. It really hurt. 

‘I felt ashamed to go to work in scrubs. Interestingly, no one would have known the affect it had on me. As for many others, that was dealt with silently.

‘I’m not sharing this story to “make this about me”, I have come a long way in my relationship with my body aside from a few hangups which we all have. 

‘I wanted to tell you this story because words hurt, and they can stay with you for a long time. They can be tipping points for ED’s or trigger relapse.

‘That was a few years ago and I can still hear their laughter. It was cruel.’

‘This is eating disorder awareness week and I just want to raise a reminder that men struggle with body image too, often in silence.’

Awful: Recalling the incident from ‘a few years ago,’ Alex said he could still hear the women’s ‘cruel laughter’ as they ‘squeezed his tummy’ in the canteen

Alex concluded his post: ‘Please be kind to others, we all make mistakes but do think before you speak, or type. What is a moment on your lips could be a lifetime in their heads.

‘There are some incredible people and organisations working in this space. Please check out @hopevirgo_ and @beatedsupport who are relentless in their mission. 

‘Also, have a listen to my @thestompcast episode with @angelascanlon who shares her story with an ED, truly inspiring and I have no doubt will help others.

‘Just to finish by saying, I really was hesitant to share this story, even as I’m about to hit share I have my doubts. 

‘I forgive those people and I love my body and everything it allows me to do. I just hope this will resonate with others and raise awareness. Let’s look after each other, shall we?’

Heartfelt: Alex began: ‘I’m going to tell you a story, that I never intended to share, but I believe is important in raising awareness’

In June, Alex admitted to eating unhealthy foods during periods of stress and says he’s worked with a therapist to eradicate certain ‘patterns of behaviour.’

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, he said he has now replaced snacking with walking, swimming, and the gym in a bid to improve his lifestyle. 

He said: ‘I was talking with my therapist about coping mechanisms because when I’m stressed, I turn to unhealthy foods.

‘She always says to me to think about what purpose is it serving? Over the last couple of years, I’ve become more self-aware of patterns of behaviour.

‘Most of what we do is to fill a gap or a hole and give you a sense of feeling comfort and food has been that for me.’

‘Most of what we do is to fill a gap’: The former Love Island contestant told MailOnline he’s replaced snacking with walking, swimming, and the gym in a bid to improve his lifestyle

‘I am an introverted person’: Alex admitted it was ‘weird’ he was ever on Love Island and says the show feels ‘a world away’ from where he is now in his career

‘Walking is huge and I love going out and walking and the gym, I’ve really got back into exercising. I’ve been swimming, there’s something about the monotony of swimming that I like, which I know sounds odd.’

Alex, who found fame on Love Island in 2018, was appointed Youth Mental Health Ambassador by the Prime Minster to raise the profile of mental health education and wellbeing in schools.

He also sits on ITV’s mental health advisory board for Love Island after two of the show’s former contestants, Sophie Gradon, and Mike Thalassitis, took their own lives.

Alex praised ITV’s new and improved mental health package that is offered to contestants, saying producers have become ‘industry experts’ after the show suffered several ‘tragedies.’