Angellica Bell shared that early in her career, she made a strange purchase – a corset – because she felt pressured to appear thinner on television.
The 49-year-old TV and radio personality, famous for hosting shows on CBBC from 2000 to 2006, recently described herself as ‘a bit chubby’ when she was younger.
On the recent episode of the Spent podcast, sponsored by Nationwide, she revealed she once tried using an electronic muscle stimulator – a device that sends electrical pulses to make your abs contract – hoping to get a toned stomach.
Angellica shared that she never dreamed of being on TV when she was younger. She admitted she didn’t think she was attractive enough to be a presenter, and didn’t see herself as particularly noteworthy.
I remember following her career from the very beginning! Even before she became a familiar face on TV, she was incredibly hard-working. She actually had a paper route as a kid and then worked at McDonald’s to earn money. It was amazing to see her dedication pay off when she finally got her first TV gig as a reporter for ‘The Big Breakfast’ on Channel 4 back in the late 90s – that’s when I really started to take notice!
Looking back, my career really took off when I joined CBBC back in 2000. I started by doing little bits in between programs, just getting my feet wet, and eventually that led to some amazing opportunities! I was thrilled to become a main presenter on shows like Xchange, 50/50, and That’s Genius! It was such a fun time and a great way to start things off.
Even though she’s achieved a lot, she admitted she still struggles with self-doubt and once felt pressure to look less prominent in her films.
In a conversation with Matt Edmondson, Angellica shared that she never really imagined herself being on CBBC.
Perhaps it was because I didn’t know the path to take. I’d always admired it from afar, thinking it looked amazing, but I never pictured myself being a part of it.
As a kid, I wasn’t much to look at – I was a bit overweight and wore thick glasses. I didn’t think I stood out, so I figured I’d just wait and see what life brought.
She explained that she’d spent money on an abdominal exercise machine, but quickly discovered it didn’t work well and wasn’t a substitute for regular exercise and a healthy diet.
She told me about a fitness device she used to own that promised to give you abs. It was one of those old machines you wore that sent electric pulses to your stomach muscles, with the idea that you’d get a six-pack in about six months.
Angellica explained that the devices supposedly work by giving your muscles small electrical impulses, causing them to contract. The result, she said, is a more toned and sculpted physique – like that of a Greek god.
When Matt asked her how often she used it, she admitted she hadn’t been consistent. She explained that she’d tried it for a while, but it wasn’t producing any results.
I’m pretty sure it’s a scam. Achieving a physique like that requires a lot of protein and countless sit-ups, and that’s just not realistic without serious effort.
Just sleep, and no enjoying yourself. No ice cream, no cake – I’m simply not willing to give those up.
She openly admitted the investment hadn’t been a good one, and she’d later learned how important exercise and self-acceptance are.
Angellica felt like the purchase wasn’t worth the cost. She also admitted to once feeling pressure to appear thinner on television, which led her to try shapewear – something similar to Spanx.
I’ve stopped wearing shapewear completely. I’ve decided to embrace my body and enjoy life without restrictions – I want to indulge if I feel like it!
I’d like to lose a little weight and get in better shape, but I really lack the motivation to exercise and go to the gym.
She explained that it wasn’t until later that she started buying exercise equipment. She enjoyed being active as a child, but wasn’t overly focused on it.
I believe I decided to run the marathon while working at CBBC. I wanted a challenge that would both raise money for charity and get me in shape.
That’s when everything clicked, you know? I suddenly realized I just had to try – really put some effort in. It sounds so simple now, but at the time it was like a revelation! I was completely hooked and knew I had to give it everything I had.
During a heartfelt interview last year, Angellica became upset and confessed she felt she hadn’t lived up to expectations while working on CBBC, believing she’d let down an entire generation.
Last October, the mother of two joined Fleur East on HITS Radio to talk about her work and the importance of seeing Black people represented in media.
Angellica discussed her impact in the early 2000s, emphasizing how crucial it was for Black children to see themselves represented on television then.
As she started to talk, she became emotional and admitted she often worried she hadn’t done enough for the children.
She explained that she hadn’t fully understood how much being on CBBC meant to people. Someone actually told her, ‘Angellica, you were a part of my childhood,’ which really struck her.
I appreciate all the experiences I’ve had, even the difficult ones where I was figuring out who I am. Looking back, I realize it was all worth it.
Fleur complimented the star, pointing out that she initially hesitated to wear braids, and suggested that embracing them earlier might have led to a different outcome.
‘You just being on TV, for all the young black kids just watching you on TV gave people hope.
Perhaps if you’d seen a better example earlier, you could have embraced your true self much sooner. Thank you, for the benefit of an entire generation.
Angellica, with tears in her eyes, responded, ‘I often feel like I’ve let people down, like my efforts haven’t been enough…’
Fleur comforted her, saying, “Don’t ever doubt that you’ve done all you could. You’ve actually done far more than enough.”
Fans shared their reactions on social media, echoing Fleur’s heartfelt words and celebrating Angellica as a positive role model.
Angelica and June Sarpong were important role models for many young Black girls, and people are now recognizing their impact. They made a significant difference during a time when Black representation in media was scarce.
I don’t recall a lot of TV presenters from when I was a kid, but Angelica Bell is definitely one I always remember. It’s sad to hear she feels like she didn’t succeed, because so many of us really enjoyed watching her.
Just wanted to say, Angelica, you were absolutely the best part of watching CBBC growing up! Thanks for making me feel represented on television.
Seeing Angelica on television meant a lot to me as a South Asian woman. It’s incredibly impactful for people of color to see themselves represented on screen.
You can find Spent on YouTube and all your favorite podcast apps. New episodes come out every Tuesday.
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2025-11-18 09:06