'Disgusting' upskirting photos contradict award show's #TimesUp message

British TV host Holly Willoughby has hit out at paparazzi after photographers tried to take pictures up her and other female stars’ skirts at the Brit Awards.

Sharing a collage of pictures of her, singer Rita Ora, TV personality Louise Redknapp, and model Abbey Clancy as they tried to get into their cars at the end of the night, Willoughby questioned the success of the #TimesUp movement, which has sprung up in response to the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

“At the beginning of the night we held white roses and walked down a red carpet full of the hope and pride that comes with the #TimesUp campaign,” she wrote, referencing the decision for attendees to carry roses to show support for the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.

But then she added,“At the end of the night, cameras were held low to get a photo up our skirts… time’s apparently up on #TimesUp.”

More than 190 women working in the entertainment industry, including actresses Emma Watson, Jodie Whittaker, Naomie Harris, and Sienna Miller, signed their names to a powerful open letter in support of #TimesUp ahead of the 2018 Baftas, which took place just days earlier.

The letter urged attendees to don all-black in support of the initiative, an unofficial dress code that most celebrities stuck to. (Kate Middleton wore green to stick to royal protocol which prevents the royal family showing political support for a cause.)

And at the 2018 Brits, women and men in the music industry followed in the footsteps of those at the Grammys by carrying long-stemmed roses that represented a drive for equality.

Willoughby’s powerful post has been liked more than 222K times and received thousands of comments from fans offering their support to the This Morning presenter and agreeing that it was unacceptable.

“I have no words to express how I feel! This is disgusting!” one woman wrote.

“This is disgusting and perverted that the paps do things like this. Much love and support going your way,” another user wrote.

“This makes me furious! The sooner ‘upskirting’ becomes illegal, the better. It’s an utter violation,” one more fan wrote.

At the moment there is no law banning upskirting in the U.K., which means victims instead have to pursue claims of voyeurism or indecency.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Why is a cosmetics company applying for a trademark for #MeToo?

• Artist reverses gender roles in ’50s ads to ‘give men a taste of their own sexist poison’

• Anika Noni Rose takes on sexual assault: ‘No one has the right to touch me’

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.