Page 3

rdf:langString Page 3

rdf:langString Page 3, or Page Three, was a British newspaper convention of publishing a large image of a topless female glamour model (known as a Page 3 girl) on the third page of mainstream red-top tabloids. The Sun introduced the feature, publishing its first topless Page 3 image on 17 November 1970. The Sun's sales doubled over the following year, and Page 3 is partly credited with making The Sun the UK's bestselling newspaper by 1978. In response, competing tabloids including the Daily Mirror, the Sunday People, and the Daily Star also began featuring topless models on their own third pages. Notable Page 3 models included Linda Lusardi, Samantha Fox, and Katie Price. Attitudes toward Page 3 varied widely. Although some readers regarded the feature as harmless entertainment, cultural conservatives often viewed it as softcore pornography inappropriate for publication in generally circulated national newspapers, while many feminists saw it as demeaning women and perpetuating sexism. Some politicians, notably Clare Short and Caroline Lucas, campaigned to have topless photographs removed from newspapers, while others, including Nick Clegg and Ed Vaizey, voiced concern that banning images would compromise the freedom of the press. Legislation was never enacted against Page 3. However, in 2012, activists launched the No More Page 3 campaign, which pressured newspaper editors and owners to end the feature voluntarily. The campaign won support from 140 MPs as well as a number of universities, trade unions, and charities. In August 2013, The Sun's Republic of Ireland edition replaced topless Page 3 girls with clothed glamour models. Its UK editions followed suit in January 2015, discontinuing Page 3 after more than 44 years. The Daily Star became the last print daily to drop topless photographs, moving to a clothed glamour format in April 2019. This ended the Page 3 convention in Britain's mainstream tabloid press. As of 2022, the only British tabloid still publishing topless models is the niche Sunday Sport.