Star NI Instagram chef hits back at armpit hair criticism: ‘Cover up or shave’

The Belfast man, who started Instagram and TikTok accounts to share videos of him cooking from home during lockdown, has become a household name and bestselling author in recent years.

But he hit out at a social media user named Fiona on the Meta-owned platform Instagram after she told him on Wednesday his videos were "not very nice ti [sic] watch".

Mr Anthony shared the message he received, which continued: "Preparing food in a vest, with hairy armpits!! Cover up or shave them [please]".

In response, Mr Anthony said: "I would like to apologise for the video I posted last night," adding that Fiona had sent her criticism.

He continued: "I will avoid making ice lollies in my kitchen, wearing a vest and showing my armpits in June."

The chef and author then showed an image in which he is wearing a North Face jacket standing in his kitchen. He said: "No more vests for the summer recipe videos guys I'm sorry. Dressed more appropriately for salads and ice lollies."

He then reshared his original video showing the creation of the healthy Magnums and added for effect: "Not very nice ti watch."

Mr Anthony received plenty of support after he share the critical comment. Northern Ireland ceramicist Natasha Swan said: "I would like to see more armpit hair next time please."

While he may still receive negative comments occasionally, Mr Athony's videos allowed him in recent years to leave his job at a telecoms company thanks to his success.

He's now achieved increasing fame thanks to appearances on ITV's This Morning as well as his four cookbooks - with his fourth having recently topped the charts.

The Bored of Lunch series will be launched in the US in the autumn.

The 32-year-old Portadown native now has ​two million followers on Instagram and just under a million on TikTok.