‘My mother was obsessed with her weight’ Brendan Courtney on his inherited body insecurities

Brendan Courtney has opened up about the body insecurities that have plagued him since he was a boy, a struggle he shared with his beloved mum, Nuala.

While the host is known for his impeccable style and helping women to look and feel better about themselves through his styling tips, for the longest time he was too concerned about his body to even take his top off in front of anyone.

Nuala passed away in December 2024 after battling Alzheimer’s disease, and he still misses her every single day. Like his mum and so many others, Brendan struggles with his body image.

He tries to overcome his feelings of insecurity with self-affirming mantras, but confesses to wishing he was thinner or more buff.

‘Growing up as a kid in the 80s, being judgmental of one’s body was part of growing up. I was a roundy kid… it made me paranoid and obsessed with my weight.’

He went on to explain to the Irish Independent: ‘My mother was obsessed with her weight. All of us in our family have very unhealthy relationships with our bodies. My mother was really glamorous and was always on a diet and talking about it.’

‘[She] handed me a Trim Track for my Christmas present when I was 14. She was smoking a cigarette in her dressing gown and said: “Don’t make the same mistakes as your father,’ Brendan continued.

‘She gave me the most horrible fixation. I was well into my 30s and wouldn’t take my top off in front of anyone.’

That said, things have gotten somewhat better in recent years, and he goes on to add that he now regularly goes to the sauna and sea swimming ‘and get naked in front of people – I don’t care.’

His words come after he and Sonya Lennon wrapped up their long-standing fashion brand in June.