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A woman who moaned on TV that she could not get a job due to “fattist” bosses was caught stealing pastries hours later.

Jay Cole, who is 22 stone, was recognised on the shop’s CCTV footage by police officers who had seen her earlier appearance on ITV show This Morning.

The single mum, 24, of Tonbridge, Kent, told hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that employers would roll their eyes at her in interviews.

Jobless Cole, a size 26, appeared on telly last month, insisting that she had applied for countless roles but only ever managed to land part-time work as a dinner lady.

She said: “I don’t want to be on benefits – I’ve been on them since I was 18. But I am a victim of fattism.

“If I go for an ­interview, people just roll their eyes when they see me walk in. I want to work but people won’t hire me.

"Why should I change who I am? – a job is about qualifications, not because you look a certain way”

She was joined on the sofa by former Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins.

Gesturing at Cole, she said: “Would I want to put someone in front of a client who looks like this? Well, no.”

Shortly after the ITV show, Cole was caught stealing £42 of goods from the Sainsbury’s store a mile from her council home.

Her haul included cakes, pastries, biscuits, sandwiches, champagne and soft drinks.

Cole accepted a police caution for two thefts – one on February 27 after the show and one eight days earlier at the same store.

That time she stole £19.50 of goods including cakes.

See Cole's appearance on This Morning