‘Sometimes I feel ashamed’: Jasmine Harman on body image struggles and the heartbreaking reason turning 50 became a wake-up call

A Place In the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman turned 50 last year, and approaching her 51st birthday has opened up about the body image issues she's always struggled with, and why her milestone birthday ended up being a wake-up call.

Candidly describing the struggles she's experienced over the years to accept her body, Jasmine tells OK! magazine, "My weight goes up and down and I try not to let it bother me."

She explains that seeing women share body positivity stories on social media has helped her with this, with the rise of the movement in recent years. "Sometimes I feel ashamed that I still get bothered about the muffin top," she shares, but does insist a little extra weight "won’t stop me doing anything."

However, she says, "But it’s hard" to not listen to that critical inner voice, continuing, "Wouldn’t we all like to be able to say, 'I love myself exactly the way I am?'" when the reality is that many women also find this difficult.

The presenter has been making more effort than usual to stay healthy since celebrating her 50th birthday, suggesting this is mainly to prevent herself from "falling apart."

Currently feeling "really good," she eats well, follows a "healthy Mediterranean diet" now she's predominantly based in Spain, and regularly attends exercise classes.

Not just regular fitness classes, the ones Jasmine goes to are seafront aerobics three times per week. "Sometimes, I even see dolphins," she explains.

Speaking about the challenges of turning 50, Jasmine says she was really reminded of her own mortality when her birthday came around. Her friend and former co-presenter Jonnie Irwin was also aged 50 when he died of lung cancer in 2024.

"I did think of Jonnie," she shares, also revealing that she lost another good friend at the same age which added to her difficult reflections on the big day.

Still in touch with Jonnie's wife Jessica and their three sons, Jasmine still finds his death "senseless," but does share the things it has taught her.

"I guess one of the things I took from Jonnie’s diagnosis and subsequent illness was that we really don’t know what’s around the corner," she says, continuing, "You have to try everything, no regrets."

Determined to "live life to the fullest," Jasmine says, "When your friends go, especially at such a young age, it gives you a wake-up call about your own mortality."

The presenter has been married to cameraman Jon Boast for 17 years, and as well as working on self-acceptance of her body and ageing, Jasmine also has their relationship to consider.

Sharing the key to keeping their marriage strong, Jasmine says it's quite straightforward - they need to spend time apart.

"It’s almost like a first date when you see each other again. We just ‘get’ each other," she shares, adding, "We have fun, we try not to take each other too seriously and I know that Jon will always have my back."

When their 20th wedding anniversary comes around, the presenter says they might renew their wedding vows. "Maybe for our 20th anniversary I’ll pull out my old wedding dress, if it still fits me," she says.