Former grid girl Leilani Dowding hits out at praise for Sam Smith's video

Former grid girl Leilani Dowding has claimed it's double standards to praise Sam Smith for stripping off in a racy music video after there was mass outrage at Formula One models for wearing sexy outfits.

In a string of tweets, the Real Housewives Of Cheshire star said she 'absolutely loved' her time working as a model on the circuit until 'angry women' forced grid girls to be banned from the sport. 

Leilani questioned why Sam's recent video for new single I'm Not Here To Make Friends hadn't sparked the same outrage that grid girls did. 

Grid girls were axed from Formula One in 2018, with bosses saying that they were not in keeping with their 'brand values'.

The move mirrored the Professional Darts Corporation's decision to end the practice of glamorous women escorting male players to the stage, though tournaments still feature a troupe of female cheerleaders dancing to walk-ons.

In her tweet, Leilani wrote: 'I remember all those angry women who are sure to ban grid girls and podium girls. 

'Where are their voices now when kids can watch graphic hardcore or a touch of a button, and pop stars wriggle around in simulated golden showers.'

Leilani ended her tweet: 'Me on left doing what's now banned' and shared a snap of herself as a grid girl in 2002 alongside a grab of Sam in the music video.

She continued her tirade by responding to a follower who also shared a snap of a former grid girl.

The Twitter user wrote: 'The darts and F1 and boxing got rid of these because it was degrading (even though they were paid and it was consensual) yet SS [Sam Smith] is applauded. What a [clown emoji] world.'

Leilani then responded: 'Degrading. It was fun and amazing money, and something so many girls wanted to do.

'They attacked beauty and women's form and that's why you see 14-year-olds wanting to cut off their breasts.'

Another user posted: 'I think it's disgraceful that it was banned personally. It's the year 2023 and if a woman is happy to do a grid girl job and get paid well for then why shouldn't they be able to.

'I've never once heard any woman who did that job complain about how they was treated,' with Leilani responding: 'Nearly all of us absolutely loved it.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Sam Smith for comment. 

In the new video, Sam dances alongside performers who are also wearing corsets, suspenders and nipple tassels. 

In other scenes, the dancers slowly thrust on a bed wearing only black leather underwear and later surround the artist, dancing provocatively. 

The video prompted many to question whether it was too sexually suggestive, with some saying the video was akin to a Playboy photo shoot and should be kept away from children. 

However, others pointed to similarly risqué videos, such as Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax. Madonna's Like a Prayer, Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball and Queen's I Want to Break Free. 

In 2018, walk-on grid girls were axed from Formula One when motorsport bosses said they were not in keeping with their 'brand values'.

Sean Bratches, F1 managing director of commercial operations, said: 'Over the last year we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport.

'While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms.

'We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world.'

While many supported the decision, the sport was also criticised for taking the glamour away from the sport, with some arguing grid girls, who work long hours on race weekends, shouldn't have their jobs taken away from them.

Several former grid girls also publicly questioned the move, including Lizzie Cundy and Melinda Messenger.

The move mirrored the Professional Darts Corporation's decision last week to end the long-established practice of women escorting male players to the stage.