Kirstie Allsopp responds to backlash after claiming workers should return to work to 'prove worth' to bosses

Kirstie Allsopp has defended her comments about workers needing to "prove their worth" to bosses, after sparking controversy online.

The Location, Location, Location host, 48, has triggered furious debate on Twitter, after she urged her followers to return to work.

Taking to the social media site on Wednesday, Ms Allsopp wrote: "If your job can be done from home it can be done from abroad where wages are lower.

"If I had an office job I’d want to be first in the queue to get back to work and prove my worth to my employer. I am terrified by what could be on the horizon for so many."

The TV personality then faced fury from followers, who called Allsopp out for making bold claims about home workers.

"I've worked from home, full time for years due to chronic illness like so many others. Does that mean I've not proved my worth? No, it means I'm a skilled & trusted employee. Do I want my colleagues to be told they have to go into the office during a pandemic? Absolutely not," wrote one user.

Another commented: "Most people prove their worth to their employer by doing their job well."

Comedian and author James Felton also waded in: "1st sentence: If you can prove your worth from home your job can be done elsewhere 2nd sentence: I reckon I’d want to go back into work to prove my worth I’d already proved from home 3rd sentence: Confused concern that would be better directed at a deadly virus."

The property expert has since responded to the backlash, stating that her comments were not meant as an "attack" on those working from home, before posting a follow-up Tweet which reads: "WFH works beautifully for some and is pretty hellish for others. But my cynicism is about employers, not employees.

"Anyone who wants to feel attacked is welcome to indulge themselves, but you’re missing the point."

Figures from a report by Morgan Stanley yesterday revealed that British workers were more reluctant to return to the office than any other major city in Europe.