Kirstie Allsopp has branded author JK Rowling "sad and childish" after she shared a social media post aimed at newsreader India Willoughby.
Transgender TV personality Willoughby, who is a vocal supporter of trans rights, is no stranger to online rows with the Harry Potter creator, but on Monday, it was Rowling who reignited their spat.
The Harry Potter author took to X on Monday to celebrate the fact that former Celebrity Big Brother star and trans activist Willoughby had blocked her.
Rowling wrote on X: "They said I couldn’t do it. They said it would’ve happened by now. They told me to give up, to move on, to admit defeat. I’m here today to tell you: never give up on your dreams."
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JK Rowling has been at the centre of the trans debate in recent years | PAThe swipe gained plenty of support from Rowling's fans, including Elon Musk, who shared a laughing emoji in response, while the People's Channel's very own Camilla Tominey branded Rowling's post: "Epic."
Channel 4's Allsopp had a different reaction to Rowling's celebratory update, however, hitting out: "This is sad and childish.
"In this world that is so divided at the moment and full of so much horror and unhappiness, it is very depressing to see someone so respected & admired behaving in this way." (sic)
When one X user urged Allsopp to "get a grip" and claimed Rowling's post was written in a "jokey" manner, the presenter doubled down: "I don’t think JK thinks that the issue of trans rights is a joke.
India Willoughby appeared on Celebrity Big Brother
| PA
JK Rowling celebrated being blocked by India Willoughby
|X
"I’ve never sensed that she is relaxed on the subject, and since when did two wrongs make a right; JK is the one with the power in this dynamic."
Allsopp continued to berate Rowling in response to another social media user who branded the author a "national treasure".
"National treasures don’t bully marginalised groups. JK has all the power and money in the world, she could do all she wants to and still remain positive and above the fray," Allsopp argued.
The Location, Location, Location presenter even turned her attention to GB News presenter Tominey's reaction.
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JK Rowling is no stranger to debates about trans issues | GETTY"Not epic," Allsopp said to the People's Channel star. "A woman with 13 million followers who could afford, in every sense of the word, to take the moral high ground instead decides to do this. It’s so Trumpian. Why can’t we all behave better?"
Tominey stood firm: "The word isn’t 'man' or 'woman' but 'bully'. It’s an epic example of standing up to one."
Willoughby responded to Allsopp's intervention, reacting to one of the presenter's posts with the letters "ty", internet slang for "thank you".
The feud between the two has been rumbling on for years, with Rowling previously accused of "transphobia" for "deliberately misgendering" the former newsreader.
Kirstie Allsopp regularly presents Location, Location, Location alongside Phil Spencer | PA Rowling caused a social media storm when she insisted Willoughby was "cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy of what a woman is".
Willoughby responded during the 2024 spat to share "genuine disgust" at Rowling's remarks.
The word isn’t “man” or “woman” but “bully”. It’s an epic example of standing up to one
— Camilla Tominey (@CamillaTominey) January 20, 2026
The former Loose Women star added: "Grotesque transphobia, which is upsetting. I am every bit as much a woman as JK Rowling.
"Recognised in law, and by everyone I interact with every day. The debate about whether JK Rowling is a transphobe is over."