England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her struggles with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Kildunne, who scored five tries in England's Rugby World Cup victory last year, including a notable solo effort in the 33-13 win over Canada in the final, revealed that she felt 'really alone' after the high of the World Cup.
She has now discussed her unhealthy weight loss and the eating disorder she developed during the pandemic, stating 'I could see myself getting smaller, but I was still trying to chase being smaller on top of that.' Kildunne, who recently released her autobiography 'Game Changer', has spoken about how her perception of herself differed from reality, saying 'I would have been small but I would see myself as bigger in the mirror.' A physio session at her previous club, Wasps, brought the issue to a head when lead physiotherapist Emily Ross asked if Kildunne was okay, prompting her to break down in tears. Kildunne has said that she now feels 'in control' and is able to talk about her struggles without being triggered, adding that she wants to use her influence to help others who may be going through similar experiences, saying 'I want to show people that no-one's perfect, just because I'm a rugby player for England doesn't make me this superhero.'