Heather Mills’ blatant attempt for sympathy the other day has really sparked a nerve with the public – and with the press. Those were pretty much her two biggest foes, and striking out against the press hasn’t helped her image at all with the public. She pissed nearly everyone off by throwing out there (in a totally self-indulgent, pity me way) that the press has driven her to consider suicide. Though it didn’t seem possible, the British press now hates her more than ever – and she’s gotten a lot more negative press in America as a result. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, gave some pretty good advice to Mills – and she might seriously consider taking it. The original Fergie got a lot of unflattering coverage in her heyday, but has really managed to turn her reputation around – and not by bellyaching about how hard it is to be wealthy and famous.

Sarah Ferguson, no stranger to unflattering coverage in the British press, can empathize with Heather Mills McCartney, but doesn’t have much sympathy for Paul McCartney’s estranged wife in her battle with the media. Mills McCartney, who is going through a bitter divorce with the ex-Beatle, went on a tirade this week against the British press on talk shows in London and the U.S.

Ferguson said she can understand Mills McCartney’s frustration. “It’s quite difficult when you’re in it – when it’s right in your face,” the Duchess of York told The Associated Press on Thursday night. “But there’s always a reason for it, so maybe you have to change something in yourself.”

“It’s give and take,” she said. “… If you are on the public stage, it’s your public stage. Otherwise, don’t be on the public stage. That’s what I really think. If you’re on it, accept it, if you don’t want to accept it, get off it.”

[From the Associated Press]

That’s perfect advice, and she essentially told Heather Mills that she is her own problem – but said it in a way that the dense Mills might be able to comprehend. Though who the hell knows with her. Though Mills has said and done a lot of “pity me” types of things over the years, I think this one is so grating because it’s just not something you throw out there. You only say things like that when you’re serious – and a famous person who was seriously suicidal wouldn’t tell the country about it as a way to get sympathy. I didn’t like Heather Mills before, but now it’s full-on war. I will use my Celebitchy platform to make the rest of the world hate you too. Oh look, already done.

Picture note by Jaybird: Here’s the original Fergie at Isabella Blow’s Memorial Service on September 18th. Images thanks to PR Photos.