English actress Lily James has branded ‘ghosting’ the most ‘disgusting’ habit in modern dating, declaring that anyone who cuts contact without explanation should be ‘never allowed to date again’. The 37-year-old star made the remarks during an appearance on Deadline.com's Take Ten video series, in comments first surfaced by ‘Female First UK’.

What Lily James said

‘With dating apps, I've never really done them. But ghosting is just so disgusting and anyone that ghosts should be just never allowed to date again! Cancelled,’ James said. She added, ‘It's so crazy, it happens all the time, it's so gross. Just write back. It's so weird. Not that that comes from personal experience.’

James, who has previously been linked with actor Matt Smith and musician Michael Shuman, said she has largely avoided dating apps herself but acknowledged the vulnerability involved in putting oneself out there, online or offline.

From 'Swiped' to the dating discourse

The actress played Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd in the 2025 biographical film ‘Swiped’, a role that placed her at the centre of conversations around online dating culture. Reflecting on the app experience, James said, ‘The thing about dating apps ... it's so vulnerable to put yourself out there, in real life dating or on an app. There is cringey stuff there but who am I to say anything, I am super cringe.’

Climbing mountains for 'Cliffhanger' reboot

James also previewed her next project, a fresh take on the 1993 Sylvester Stallone blockbuster ‘Cliffhanger’, shot in the Dolomites in Italy. She described the role as her most demanding yet, saying she learned to climb for real.

‘We shot in real life in the Dolomites. I really learned to climb. I was really hanging off mountains with skeleton crews. We would hike with my own stuff on my back, and for hours, to get to these very remote locations,’ she said. ‘It was truly extraordinary to shoot in conditions like that, and to have got so physically strong and pushed myself way beyond my limits. I'm really proud of this film, and can't wait to share it with the world.’

Why it resonates

The remarks land amid a broader cultural backlash against ghosting, which surveys have repeatedly identified as one of the most common — and most resented — behaviours on dating apps. Coming from the star of a Bumble origin story, James's rebuke is likely to amplify an already loud conversation about app etiquette and accountability.

James has previously said she actively seeks out ‘challenges’, a thread that runs from her physically punishing ‘Cliffhanger’ shoot to her candid critique of modern romance.