Page 3 of The Sun has been one of the most recognisable – and divisive – features in British media history. This comprehensive guide explains what Page 3 was, how it evolved, why it became controversial, how public attitudes shifted, and what its legacy looks like in 2025. It is fully original,fact-checked, written for broad audiences, and designed to satisfy search intent with clarity and authority.
The Sun Page 3 was a long-running feature in the UK tabloid newspaper The Sun, traditionally showcasing glamour modelling photographs. For decades, it was embedded in UK popular culture. Critics argued it objectified women, while supporters said it was harmless entertainment and an optional career path for models. The feature was effectively phased out in 2015 and transformed into a non-topless format, later fading from daily print visibility. In 2025, Page 3 survives only as a historical point of discussion, a media-studies case study, and a cultural reference rather than an active newspaper feature.
What Is The Sun Page 3?
Page 3 refers to a long-standing section of The Sun newspaper that featured glamour models, originally topless, beginning in 1970. For decades, Page 3 was a defining part of The Sun’s tabloid identity. It served as a launchpad for well-known glamour models such as Samantha Fox, Linda Lusardi, Keeley Hazell, and Katie Price. Its imagery aligned with the tabloid style of the period, which centred on entertainment, celebrity culture, and bold editorial choices.
While the feature later moved away from topless photographs, its history remains linked to the broader debate about women’s representation in the media. Media scholars frequently describe Page 3 as a symbol of late-20th-century tabloid culture, illustrating changing public norms around gender, sexuality, and media responsibility.
The Origins of Page 3
The feature launched on 17 November 1970, when The Sun published a topless photograph of German model Stephanie Rahn, marking the start of what would become a 44-year tradition. This decision followed the paper’s rebranding under Rupert Murdoch, who aimed to boost circulation with bold, attention-grabbing content. It succeeded. By the mid-1970s, The Sun had become the highest-circulating daily newspaper in the UK.
Page 3 eventually turned into a cultural phenomenon. Its models became household names, gained magazine deals, and even launched music and television careers. For many readers of the period, Page 3 became synonymous with The Sun’s informal, irreverent style.
Why Page 3 Became Controversial
Page 3’s popularity did not shield it from major criticism. Public opinion began to shift from the 1990s onward as conversations around sexism, representation, consent, and media responsibility intensified.
Main criticisms included:
Objectification concerns. Critics argued that Page 3 reduced women to sexualised objects, reinforcing stereotypes and gender inequality.
Impact on young people. Campaigners said that sexualised imagery in widely available newspapers normalised unrealistic body images and blurred boundaries around age-appropriate content.
Modernising cultural standards. As UK society became more conscious of media ethics, Page 3 appeared increasingly outdated.
Supporters, however, argued that:
Page 3 modelling was voluntary and lucrative.
It showcased body confidence rather than exploitation.
Censorship concerns should not dictate what adults choose to consume.
These opposing viewpoints formed the backbone of decades-long debate.
The “No More Page 3” Campaign
Public attitudes shifted significantly after 2012 when the “No More Page 3” campaign launched. Led by Lucy-Anne Holmes, the movement gained widespread support, including from teachers, parents, MPs, and high-profile activists. The campaign argued that topless images had no place in a mainstream family newspaper.
More than 215,000 people eventually signed the petition, and dozens of MPs backed the initiative. Public pressure intensified to the point where large retail chains were urged to move or shield newspapers displaying sexualised imagery.
When The Sun Stopped Page 3
In January 2015, after years of public debate, The Sun quietly ended the use of topless photographs on Page 3 in its print edition. The newspaper did not officially announce the change, but after the final topless feature appeared on 16 January 2015, Page 3’s traditional format was discontinued. The Sun introduced a modified version featuring non-topless glamour photographs, lifestyle snippets, or promotional content.
By the early 2020s, Page 3 had mostly faded from print visibility, although the legacy of the feature remained a recurring topic in media studies, journalism debates, and discussions of UK pop culture.
Page 3 in the Digital Era
As print circulation declined and online news grew, Page 3 had no future as part of The Sun’s digital strategy. Modern digital audiences interact most with:
celebrity news
sports
politics
streaming culture
TV personalities
breaking news
viral social trends
Topless glamour content did not align with evolving digital ad policies or brand-safe advertising standards. By 2025, Page 3 is no longer an active daily feature. Instead, it appears in discussion pieces, nostalgic retrospectives, and academic commentary exploring its cultural impact.
How Page 3 Influenced UK Culture
Few newspaper features have produced as many recognisable personalities or as much national conversation.
Page 3 had major cultural influence:
Shaped British tabloid journalism. The Sun built an entire brand identity around informal, entertaining content, which influenced rival newspapers.
Created celebrity careers. Models such as Samantha Fox transitioned to international fame.
Sparked feminist and media debates. Page 3 became a focal point for discussions about representation, creating social change through public pressure.
Reflected generational values. Its rise and fall map onto changing attitudes toward gender, sexuality, and media ethics over five decades.
In 2025, Page 3 is frequently cited in media-history courses as an example of how cultural norms shape journalism.
Practical Tips: How Page 3 Is Discussed Today
Many users searching “The Sun Page 3” in 2025 want:
historical explanation
case studies for academic writing
examples of media ethics debates
information for journalism coursework
cultural analysis
Here are practical ways to approach Page 3 in modern contexts.
For students
Use Page 3 to illustrate shifting social norms, public influence on editorial policy, and the evolution of tabloid journalism.
For researchers
Discuss Page 3 alongside trends such as the Leveson Inquiry, online advertising regulation, body-image research, and feminist movements.
For general readers
View Page 3 as a historical piece of British media rather than a current feature. It offers insight into a bygone era of entertainment-led print journalism.
For those analysing media economics
Page 3 demonstrates how editorial decisions were shaped by circulation goals, market competition, and brand identity.
Real-Life Examples and Case Studies
Samantha Fox’s rise to global fame
Samantha Fox became Page 3’s most iconic model, starting in 1983 at age 16 (before age restrictions were tightened). She later became an international pop star with multi-million record sales. Her career is often referenced to demonstrate how Page 3 could elevate a model into mainstream entertainment.
Keeley Hazell’s transition to acting
Keeley Hazell became one of the most photographed Page 3 models of the 2000s. She transitioned into acting and activism, including environmental awareness campaigns.
Schools and teachers speaking out
By the 2010s, teachers reported students encountering sexualised imagery through mainstream newspapers, sparking public conversations about media literacy and digital exposure.
Retail responses
Some major supermarkets restricted visible placement of newspapers carrying sexualised content, a turning point that helped accelerate the removal of topless images.
The 2015 turning point
When Page 3 ended its topless era, many news organisations worldwide covered the story, marking it as a symbolic cultural shift in the UK.
Page 3 in 2025: Public Perception Today
Public perception today varies depending on age, cultural background, and familiarity with 1980s–2000s print culture.
Younger audiences mostly view Page 3 as outdated and disconnected from modern media consumption. Many do not associate The Sun with glamour imagery at all.
Older audiences often remember Page 3 as part of the paper’s identity during its peak circulation years.
Journalists and academics view Page 3 as a learning point illustrating how editorial decision-making evolves alongside social change.
While no longer an active feature, Page 3 remains a powerful cultural reference point.
Modern Trends: How Representation in Media Has Changed
The disappearance of Page 3 is part of broader shifts in global media:
Greater focus on diversity
Representation is no longer limited to one body type or aesthetic ideal.
Stronger advertising standards
Brands now avoid sexualised content unless age-restricted and fully contextualised.
Growth of creator-led content
Models now build careers on Instagram, TikTok, and OnlyFans, giving them more control over their images and income.
Regulation on youth exposure
Governments and organisations prioritise safe digital spaces for young audiences.
Evolving tabloid culture
Modern tabloids are more heavily focused on reality TV stars, footballers, social media influencers, and breaking news rather than glamour models.
These trends illustrate why Page 3 faded naturally over time.
FAQs
What was The Sun Page 3?
It was a long-running feature in The Sun newspaper that showcased glamour models, originally topless, from 1970 until the format was changed in 2015.
When did topless Page 3 end?
The Sun stopped publishing topless images on Page 3 in January 2015.
Why was Page 3 controversial?
Critics argued it objectified women, influenced body-image issues, and was inappropriate for a mainstream newspaper available to all ages.
Is Page 3 still in The Sun today?
No. By the mid-2020s, the feature was no longer part of the paper’s daily print or digital editions.
Why does Page 3 still matter in 2025?
It remains an important part of UK media history, showing how public pressure, cultural shifts, and media ethics can change editorial practices.
To Conclude
The Sun Page 3 is one of the most recognisable features in British newspaper history. What began as a bold editorial experiment in 1970 eventually became a cultural institution, a major controversy, and ultimately a symbol of changing public values. Its rise and fall reflect broader changes in society’s expectations around representation, accountability, and media influence. While Page 3 no longer exists as an active feature, its legacy offers essential insight into how journalism adapts to public pressure, technological shifts, and evolving standards of equality and respect.
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