England Rugby Star Ellie Kildunne Opens Up About Body Dysmorphia Struggle

England's rugby sensation Ellie Kildunne has bravely shared her personal battle with body dysmorphia, which began to take hold during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. As a key player in England's Rugby World Cup victory, scoring five tries, including a stunning solo effort in the final against Canada, Kildunne's accomplishment belies the inner turmoil she was experiencing. In a candid conversation with BBC Sport, prior to the Red Roses' 33-12 win over Ireland in the Six Nations opener, Kildunne revealed feeling isolated despite her professional success. She has also spoken out about her unhealthy weight loss and the eating disorder that developed during the pandemic, when she was unable to participate in competitive rugby. Kildunne recounted how her perception of her body became distorted, saying, 'I could see myself getting smaller, but I was still trying to chase being even smaller.' She credits a physio session with lead physiotherapist Emily Ross at her former club Wasps for helping her confront the issue. Kildunne has now found a sense of control and wishes to use her platform to help others, acknowledging that 'nobody's perfect' and seeking to relate to those who may be facing similar struggles, offering them the support she herself needed.