'Rebecca Goodwin is right – it's time people showed adult stars some respect'

The furore surrounding adult star Rebecca Goodwin's podcast walkout has overshadowed what many are seeing as a valid point – adult stars do contribute to British society.

Having spent most of my time at the Daily Star interviewing adult stars on a regular basis, this debate on Rebecca's point (although it's not really a debate because it seems the vast majority agree with her) has led me down the path of wanting to take this conversation further.

Not only do people need to realise that adult stars do contribute to society by way of tax and more – with charity work and work around mental health issues a big area where stars like Rebecca and others such as Lana Wolf have become involved – it's time for the British public to actually start showing these women some respect.

One of the very first stars I ever interviewed was Yasmina Khan around three years ago. What started as a “how did you get into this line of work” standard chat developed into a conversation about future hopes and dreams, and the good side of the industry.

And since then, and around five interviews later, I would happily go on record to say that Yasmina and I have become friends and we regularly talk about all kinds of issues (and cats and coffee), which recently culminated in her agreeing to open up on camera and discuss her debilitating medical complications – issues suffered by many Brits, regardless of what they do for a living.

Her line of work, as with Rebecca and others, is her choice. It's not for me or anyone else to judge, nor should we. They provide value to society in the way millions of us do, regardless of whether you think they do or not.

These are normal people – with, to them, a normal job. If they want to get paid for doing what we all do behind closed doors anyway and be consensually filmed while doing so then more power to them.

You wouldn't tell a social media “influencer” that they contribute nothing to society, despite the fact that they arguably contribute less than the UK's adult industry in terms of finance – so why would you tell any adult star that they don't? Because you're faux shocked and outraged about the fact that they have sex for a living? Give over.

It's 2025, and it's time we stopped judging how people choose to earn money (unless it's literally illegal). The Daily Star has always championed the UK's adult scene, and will continue to do so in some way, shape or form.

And to the three “lads” who showed Rebecca the most utter disrespect, pipe down and let the professionals do their job.