Tyra Banks hits out at tabloids 'Thigh-ra' jibes

Former Victoria's Secrets model and presenter of reality TV show America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks, has hit back at critics after photographs of her in a swimsuit were published in American tabloids under the headlines 'Thigh-ra Banks'.

The skinny models debate has been enlivened by Banks who unleashed a passionate attack on her detractors.

The outburst, which finished with an invitation to her critics to "kiss my fat ass", has become one of the most-watched clips on the YouTube website.

You can watch it here...

Banks appeared on her talk show on Thursday wearing the same swimsuit she had been photographed in, rebutting tabloid claims that she had gained 40lbs and blaming an unflattering camera angle.

The ex-Victoria Secrets model who has made millions from creating a reality TV series 'America's Top Model' said: "If I had lower self esteem, I would probably be starving myself right now,".

"And that is exactly what is happening to other women in this country. Some whose names you know, and some whose names you don't."

A report in The Guardian said Miss Banks, who is 1.8m (5ft 10in) high and weighs 73kg (11.5 stone), recently appeared on the cover of People magazine under the headline, "You Call This Fat?".

In the article she said: "I get so much mail from young girls who say, 'I look up to you, you're not as skinny as everyone else, I think you're beautiful.'

"So when they say that my body is 'ugly' and 'disgusting', what does that make those girls feel like?"