Ashley James Bikini Photos Spark Controversy and Debate

has lauded the chance to jet off on a solo holiday to 'reset' from 'the overstimulation of work and home life,' as she shared a huge galllery of snaps from her island getaway on Tuesday.

The This Morning star, 39, shared a string of bikini-clad images after taking the trip to Tulum as she lauded the chance to slow down with the time away.

Sharing a glimpse at the beachside resorts where she'd stayed, Ashley admitted she'd missed her two children Alfie, four, and Ada, three, 'so much' during the holiday, but the break had made her ready to head back to work.

The post came just days after Ashley sparked a fierce online debate after facing criticism for 'mocking the Bible' and 'spreading misinformation' on 'the most religious day of the year.'

Ashley's post included plenty of images of her in colourful swimwear, as she enjoyed a stay at the Villa Pescadores Tulum before moving to the Ahau resort.

She captioned her post: 'A week away to read, unwind, wake up naturally, eat really good food and just… exist on my own schedules.

'I've missed the kiddies SO much, but I really needed this reset.

'I spent the first few days at @villapescadorestulum – it's super peaceful and tucked away in the national park. 

'No beach sellers, just quiet, good food and the sea. It's actually where I wrote Bimbo, and being back there felt really special (and very full circle).

'Then I moved to @ahautulum for the last few days – right in the middle of Tulum, somewhere I first stayed 10 years ago! It's definitely busier now, but Ahau still feels calm with live music and a more chilled vibe.

'Tulum will always have such a special place in my heart. It's changed so much over the years, but there's still something about it that feels really magic.

'I know some people don't get solo trips, but I honestly love them. I'm such an ambivert and I don't get much time on my own day to day, so this kind of time really fills me back up. 

'And I always forget how nice it is not knowing exactly what the day will look like or who you might end up chatting to. It's also the perfect antidote to the overstimulation of work/home life!

'If you've ever thought about doing one, I'd really recommend it – Tulum or Bali are such easy places to start. Just book somewhere on the beach and you'll naturally meet people if you want to.

'Also I always think about that idea that if you don't get comfortable being alone, it's easy to end up holding onto the wrong people just so you don't have to be. And this kind of time reminds me why I actually really like my own company.

'Now I'm excited to get back to work and my babies and give them 100%. Remember mums, we can't pour from an empty cup.'

During her solo break, Ashley sparked a fierce online debate after she was criticised for 'mocking the Bible' and 'spreading misinformation' on 'the most religious day of the year'.

The mother-of-two shared a passage from the Bible, posting it on Instagram on  Sunday. 

She said: 'Hi everyone. Happy easter. I thought I would celebrate today with a favourite reading from the bible. So this is psalm 116 verse 11... 

'I said in my haste. All men are liars. Thank you.'

Taking to the comments, she wrote about the reason for her playful post.  

'As you know, some people like to call me “” or a “feminazi”… and a few have even suggested I find God.

'So I took their advice and read the Bible. And do you know what… they were right, I really connected with it,' she penned.

'Obviously this is a joke. I respect all faiths: Faith is beautiful.

'What I don’t respect is people using religion to justify war, control, and oppression, especially when it’s used to police women’s bodies, sexuality, and queer communities, or to fuel hostility towards immigrants.

'Because some of the Easter messaging coming out of the White House this week has been honestly disturbing. 

'Paula White-Cain compared Trump to Jesus, saying he had been “betrayed”, “arrested” and “falsely accused.”

'Franklin Graham used religious language to frame war, claiming Iranians want the death of all Jews and positioning Trump as chosen by God in justifying the war.

'And it just makes me think…Do you really believe Jesus would support stripping families apart and detaining them?

'Building ballrooms while people struggle to survive? Accepting a $400m private jet while cutting healthcare?

'Calling some humans “illegal”? Killing innocent civilians around the world? Or bragging about grabbing women “by the pussy”?

'Stop this nonsense.'

She continued: 'If we’re going to start taking everything in the Bible literally, then let’s actually apply it properly, not just when it suits power. As William Blake said,

'A truth that’s told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.”

'Faith, to me, should be about compassion, equality, and human rights. Creating a world of love and peace. ❤️

'So Happy Easter, lovers, and here’s to dreaming of a more beautiful world.'

She also posted a message that her son Alfie, five, wanted to go to church. 

The message she received, read: 'Alfie wanted to go to church with Nana lol' and she wrote: 'In case anyone was wondering, alongside a cry face emoji. 

While some people were amused by her joke about the Bible, others felt that she was mocking it. 

They wrote in the comments: 'Please don’t mock the Bible. And on this sacred and Holy weekend let’s not tie Trump and his antics back to Jesus, a lot of bad people use all religions for their own purposes, he’s no different. 

'Jesus fed the poor, healed the sick and brought freedom and healing to everyone he met, most notably women. At the well, at the cross, at the grave, his focus was women and freedom. He died so you can have life, but if you don’t believe that, that’s fine, please don’t mock it, especially not this weekend. 

'Please stop mocking the bible. You may not be religious but Tom definitely was and is. Just like all us Andrews in the Family. 

'May as well rebrand as Ashley TikyToky the level of rage baiting for clicks and money making. The lack of authenticity is astounding. Mocking your child’s interest in religion twice in one week and now mocking religion more broadly, just wow. 

'Posting this on Easter Sunday is offensive and I’m no snowflake. Step away from your phone and tripod and enjoy your time alone. 

'Wow I’m not a practising Catholic and not that religious but I found this deeply inappropriate and basically made me think maybe you are what I was fighting against you being…someone using woman and sexuality for their own benefit.'

Ashley also shared a video of Trump in which he was compared to Jesus. 

She wrote: 'I am pretty sure even by conservative Christian values this is blasphemy? I mean wtf is this? 

'How on earth can Trump be compared to Jesus. People are MAD. The version of conservative Christianity rising in the US now is deeply disturbing. 

'You cannot claim faith while supporting war that kills innocent people. You cannot call yourself Christian while deciding which humans deserve safety and which don't. 

'And you cannot be "pro-life" while denying women life-saving healthcare. 

'This isn't about religion. It's about politics power and control and using faith to justify harm.' 

Ashley has also written about her choice to spend Easter on holiday alone.

She wrote: 'Is it selfish to go away without your kids? Some people have said so in the comments. Others think it’s weird I’ve chosen to come away on my own. I know for some people it’s their worst nightmare but I love my own company!

'But in my eyes, filling my own cup makes me a better mum. And I always wonder why society expects mums to be all sacrificing, to give up their hobbies, and yet not change after having kids. Whenever Tommy goes away, no one questions him. They don’t ask who’s looking after the kids or question his commitment.

'And yet when I go away, it’s always questioned.

'Much like women who go back to work face snide remarks about letting other people raise their kids - something never aimed at working dads.

'Solo travel is actually how I learned to be happy. When I was single in my late 20s, I felt lonely and like I’d failed somehow. Travelling alone changed that. It taught me my life could be full, exciting and joyful without needing to look like a relationship or motherhood.

'It’s where I got to know myself… and started to actually like myself.

'So coming away now isn’t about “escaping” my life, it’s about reconnecting with that part of me. And if I’m honest, I really needed it.

'I’ve been feeling burnt out with early starts, work, the book… all of it. I could feel myself running on empty.'

She continued: ' Of course I miss the kids SO much. They’re having the best time in France with Tommy and their grandparents, which is so special for them. ❤️

'It also gives them space to build those relationships without me always being there, which is important - for them and Tommy too.

'And for me, it’s a chance to slow down, read, think, and just be.

'I know so many mums feel guilt existing outside of motherhood, but we’re showing our kids we can still have rich, full lives. And one day when they leave the nest, we still have our own things.

'Mums aren’t robots. We can be self sacrificing, but sometimes we need things for ourselves too - and we shouldn’t feel guilt for that.

'So some say it’s selfish, but I say it’s selfless.'