Downton Abbey star Lily James ‘slut shamed’ for kissing married Dominic West

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Her friends believe West, 51, escaped the backlash because he’s a man. One critic said of Lily: “I will never have respect for a woman who’s a home-wrecker. She messed with a married man and knew it. She’s worse than he is.” A friend of the actress said: “It’s bullying and, above all, sexist.

“She sees herself as a victim of blatant slut shaming. She finds the whole thing horribly disgusting.”

Another added: “Imagine getting that sort of abuse on a daily basis. It’s taking a big toll on her. This is double standards. A woman getting the backlash while the man, despite being married, isn’t under anywhere near the same amount of scrutiny.”

The Affair star Dominic and Lily were filming a BBC adaptation of The Pursuit of Love in Italy in October when they were pictured kissing.

Days later, he and wife Catherine Fitzgerald, 49, posed for photos outside their Irish home, Glin Castle.

They also handed photographers a note, declaring: “Our marriage is still strong.”

Meanwhile, Lily’s pals believe the critics have dented her confidence and driven her from her north London home.

One suggested it exposes an age-old prejudice, saying: “Why can’t people accept she is successful and might not want to marry yet?”

Lily – currently starring in Netflix film The Dig – split from ex-Doctor Who Matt Smith last year.

Father-of-four Dominic, an old Etonian, and landscape gardener Catherine married 10 years ago.

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