Laura Woods defends Emma Jones after backlash over her choice of dress

Laura Woods has leaped to the defence of Leeds United presenter Emma Jones after she was heavily criticised on social media for her choice of dress. 

Aside from Leeds, Jones also works for the BBC and Premier Sports’ rugby coverage. 

On Monday, she posted on Twitter a picture of her wearing a tight fitting dress on a rugby pitch, with a caption that read: “Bets on how long this dress stays this colour…” 

Jones later posted on Instagram saying: “This dress sat through a 3-course meal and came away unscathed. I don't even know who I am anymore!” 

At this stage, many people have already showed their disapproval over Jones’ fashion choice. 

One person said: “How can you expect to be taken seriously as a football presenter by posting images like that.” 

Another added: “On a football show, I would rather see someone displaying their in-depth knowledge of the game rather than sexualising their image.” 

After a string of critical messages, Jones responded on Twitter, she wrote: “Thank you to the overwhelming majority of you who have called out the few misogynists & dinosaurs in the replies to this. Unfortunately it's usually those people who shout the loudest. I was hosting an awards ceremony & I felt lovely in my new dress, so I wanted to share it.” 

Woods also offered Jones support by replying with: “What some people don’t get is…you're allowed to be both! You're smart and you're beautiful. One shouldn't and doesn't cancel out the other. I absolutely love seeing other people's glams, women AND men. And if you stopped posting them I'd be pretty disappointed tbh.” 

Jones has previously revealed that she was followed while out shopping, an experience that left her terrified. She spoke to The Sun in September of 2021, stating that she had to seek refuge in a shop and call for help. 

She said: “I was shopping alone when a man started following me. I walked into the shop to get away from him but he followed me in and wouldn’t leave me alone. A security guard and every staff member saw and proceeded to remove him from the shop and kept him away from me.”