It Looks Like The Sun Has Finally Scrapped Its Page 3 Feature

After 44 years, The Sun newspaper has finally, but quietly, scrapped the archaic feature. We'll cheers to that.

After 44 years, The Sun newspaper has finally, but quietly, binned its archaic Page 3 feature. We'll cheers to that.

Reports suggest that we will no longer see topless models on page 3 of the tabloid. Though the rag hasn't made an official statement, and refuses to comment on the lack of bare breasts on its page 3, the move was confirmed by its sister paper, The Times, which reports that Rupert Murdoch has signed off the decision.

Friday's addition of the paper was the last to feature a topless model on that page with Monday's issue having Rosie Huntington-Whiteley clad in lingerie instead.

So, we can't get too excited. Page 3 will still feature scantily clad women on that specific page and The Sun will still run topless photos on page3.com. Not ideal, but at least it's progress.

The Times quotes a spokesman as saying: 'Page 3 of The Sun is where it's always been, between pages 2 and 4, and you can find Lucy from Warwick at Page3.com.' And that's as close to an official statement as we've got. 

It's thought that bosses at The Sun are waiting to see how their readers react before committing to a complete abolishment of Page 3.

Last year, News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch wrote on Twitter: 'Aren't beautiful young women more attractive in at least some fashionable clothes?'

He went on: 'Brit feminists bang on forever about page 3. I bet never buy paper. I think old fashioned but readers seem to disagree.'

The No More Page Three campaign was set up in 2012 and a post on their Facebook page last night said: 'We're hearing the Sun may have dropped Pg3. This could be truly historic news and a great day for people power... We don't know the details for sure and there'still lots to be done... But this could be a huge step for challenging media sexism. And we are so incredibly grateful to all of you who stood up and said No More Page 3.'

Marie Claire's editor-in-chief, Trish Halpin, has welcomed the decision. She said: 'Finally, The Sun has woken up to the fact that it is 2015, and this offensive, demeaning representation of women - that we are valued for our breasts more than our brains - is just not on. I hope this is just the start – Page 3 really is the tip of the iceberg and there is still much more to do to make this a more equal society.'