Tatler apologises to Downton Abbey star Daisy Lewis over 'fun in bed' caption

Tatler magazine has issued an apology to Downton Abbey star Daisy Lewis after describing her as "fun... in bed. Probably".

In the November issue of the style magazine's 'Little Black Book' feature, which publishes profiles of "the smartest, sexiest singles on the planet", a prominent image of Lewis was included.

The caption read: "As Daisy is quite small, you might be tricked into believing she's quiet. LOL. She isn't. This actress is loud. Which makes her fun at a party. And in bed. Probably."

Lewis, who played school teacher Sarah Bunting in the ITV drama, tweeted a photo of the page on 3 November and wrote: "I'm really shocked and upset by this. But thankfully I'm 'loud' enough to say it. Does anyone at Tatler read the news?"

Lewis appeared to be referring to the ongoing debate around the sexual harassment of women in the entertainment industry.

Some branded the comment as cruel, misogynistic and aggressive.

Speaking to the Huffington Post Lewis, who has appeared in Doctor Who and starred alongside Michael Gambon in Churchill's Secret, said editor Kate Reardon had called her to apologise but admitted the story left her "frazzled".

"I know the girls who wrote it," she said. "The fact that it's women writing that about other women is what upset me the most, really. And to think that is was funny. I genuinely believe that the people who wrote it thought I would be pleased.

"That's what makes me so sad, that [they thought] I would have been pleased to be included on a list of eligible - and for eligible to mean marriageable - people, as a sort of catalogue. It feels like being part of a horse trade show or something."

Ridley added that the support she received over her complaint had been "incredible" and gave her "a lot of hope".

Tatler's official Twitter issued an apology the following day, writing: "Tayler apologises unreservedly to @daisylflewis. We will also be publishing a full apology in the next issue."

Eligible men featured in the rankings included actor Jack O'Connell, who was described as bodying "manliness at its most magnificent".

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