Comedian and TV host James Corden has come out swinging after Bill Maher, host of Real Time, suggested that fat-shaming needs to "make a comeback".
The hurtful comments were made during a segment about America's problem with obesity, with Maher telling viewers that being “fat isn’t a birth defect.”
Corden, who over the weekend for Carpool Karaoke, soon fired back with a segment on The Late Late Show.
“Fat-shaming never went anywhere," Corden said in the powerful monologue, which went for eight minutes..
"Ask literally any fat person, we are reminded of it all the time."
He continued: “There’s a common and insulting misconception that fat people are stupid and lazy and we’re not. We get it, we know. We know that being overweight isn’t good for us and I’ve struggled my entire life trying to manage my weight and I suck at it.
"Let’s be honest, fat-shaming is just bullying. And bullying just makes the problem worse.”
Corden explained that he had been on diets for has long as he "can remember" - but has never been ashamed of his weight.
“We’re not all as lucky as Bill Maher," he said.
"We don’t all have a sense of superiority that burns 35,000 calories a day.
"While you’re encouraging people to think about what goes into their mouths, just think a little harder about what comes out of yours.”
Viewers on social media applauded Corden's speech, his words clearly resonating with many viewers.
"No one enjoys being overweight, but the fat shaming I’ve received since my 20’s never led anywhere except feeling more shame," one Twitter user wrote.
"This 8 min vid sums it all up perfectly. Thank you."
You can watch the full segment below:
