Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite issues forceful rebuke to vicious trolls: ‘Pipe down’
John Whaite (L) and Johannes Radebe. (BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite has taken to Instagram to shut down trolls attacking his cast mates, telling them to “pipe down”.
The former Great British Bake Off winner wrote on the social media platform on Monday: “If you’re trolling any of my Strictly pals (or anyone on the planet for that matter) let me ask you… What have you done today to be vulnerable?”
He continued on Instagram stories: “What have you done today that is inspiring? What have you done today to push yourself out of your comfort zone?
“If the answer is ‘nothing’ then pipe down. Don’t judge a person before you’ve walked a mile in their (dance) shoes.”
While Whaite did not explicitly reference who was trolled and why, several members of the 2021 cast have spoken up against online hate, with Olympian Adam Peaty and former rugby union Ugo Monye previously speaking out against “hateful” and “vile” comments.
Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite hits out at trolls on Instagram (John Whaite/Instagram)
This year’s series saw John make history with his professional partner Johannes Radebe as they became the first Strictly partnership made up of two men.
The pair are Strictly’s second same-sex couple, following in the footsteps of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones last year.
Radebe admitted to Hello! magazine that he had been nervous before the show began of the public’s reaction.
He said: “There was no doubt in my mind that the dance side of it would work, but I was scared of the reaction it could bring.
“I thought criticism would come from all sides. After speaking to my therapist I realised what was holding me back was still feeling ashamed.
“Despite my fear, I couldn’t let this opportunity go to anyone else.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC One.
