Only Connect star hits back at critics after vicious backlash declaring: 'I'm loud, fat and confident' as host Victoria Coren Mitchell shares message of support
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An Only Connect contestant has responded to online trolls after she was targeted with derogatory comments on social media.
Contestant Danielle Cope who appeared on the new episode on Monday night, defiantly hit back at the naysayers, stating that she is proud to be a 'loud, fat, confident woman'.
The BBC quiz show, hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, 51, returned for a new season and featured two teams: the Al Frescans, which was led by Danielle, and the Midlanders.
Danielle, who was introduced as a health and wellbeing practitioner, expressed her excitement about participating in the show, explaining that her team had been long-time fans and were thrilled to be selected.
However despite winning the match with 28 points to the Midlanders' 18, after the episode aired, Danielle took to X to address the significant amount of attention she received online - much of which was negative.
An Only Connect contestant has responded to online trolls after she was targeted with derogatory comments on social media (pictured: host Victoria Coren Mitchell)
Danielle Cope (middle) who appeared on the new episode on Monday night, defiantly hit back at the naysayers, stating that she is proud to be a 'loud, fat, confident woman'
She wrote: 'Browsing through tweets about Only Connect and was kinda shocked to see that most of them are about me.
'But then again I am a loud, fat, confident woman. Maybe I should be proud that I have annoyed so many people! I cringed at 99% of the things I said too.'
She also commented on how some viewers misinterpreted her pronunciation of 'hornèd viper' as pretentious and that despite the criticism, remains positive and focused on the competition as her team are through to the next round.
Danielle continued: 'Also funny that so many people take saying it 'hornèd viper' as pretension rather than silliness.
'Anyway, glad to have made an impression and helped the series get off with a bang. Can't wait to just watch it like normal next week.'
Host Victoria, publicly supported her on the social media and told her that viewers appreciate her presence on the show.
She wrote: 'Ssh now get away with you, you gorgeous creature. Social media isn’t real, it’s just a place people go to shout things. You’re clever and fun and the viewers love you ❤️'
Danielle quickly responded, thanking the host and affirming that she would not be affected by the online comments.
Danielle took to X to address the significant amount of attention she received online - much of which was negative
Host Victoria, publicly supported her on the social media and told her that viewers appreciate her presence on the show
Danielle quickly responded, thanking Victoria and confirming that she would not be affected by the online comments
The new series returned earier in the week and featured two teams: the Al Frescans, which was led by Danielle, and the Midlanders.
Other viewers also offered words of support and took to X, previously known as Twitter commending Danielle for her performance and character
She replied: 'Thanks so much Victoria, you're totally right! I'm not letting it get to me ❤️'
Other viewers also offered words of support, commending her performance and character and wrote: '"A guy who thinks he's fly and is also knows as a buster" had me buckled. Big up the loud confident women!!'
'Danielle, genuinely I mean this - I thought you were terrific. There’s a reason the series opened with you. It’s because your character really shone through the screen. It shouldn’t matter what women look like but you looked terrific! And you’re super clever! You’re my favourite'
'Oh no! Watching last night, I thought how absolutely gorgeous you are. Funny, sparky, totally GOT Only Connect in the style of a true fan. Honestly, you were brilliant. I was so pleased your team won. B****x to Haters.
'As a former quiz show contestant I’d advise anyone who’s on TV to never look themselves up on social media. The things people come out with is truly horrible and deeply unfounded. They’re just jealous it’s not them.'
'You did awesome, takes a lot of courage to go on a gameshow, I was too scared of online hate to go through with more applications'
It comes after Victoria and her husband David Mitchell made a rare appearance together last month as they attended a star-studded bash at The Farm Shop in Mayfair - 10 months after welcoming their baby daughter.
The actor, 49, and Victoria, made the surprise announcement last year they had welcomed their second daughter, June Violet, on October 26.
And they were enjoying a night off from parenting this week as they headed to the party which was also attended by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Claudia Winkleman.
For the party Victoria looked summery in a blue flower patterned dress which she wore with stiletto heels and a glitzy gold bag.
She looked in great spirits as she headed home with David by her side who looked smart in a navy suit.
The pair were then seen hopping into a black cab to head home after the night out together.
David Mitchell and Victoria Coren, 51, made a rare appearance last month as they attended a bash at The Farm Shop in Mayfair - 10 months after welcoming their baby daughter
And they were enjoying a night off from parenting this week as they headed to the party which was also attended by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Claudia Winkleman
The pair were then seen hopping into a black cab to head home after the rare night out together
Victoria kept her pregnancy a secret, but before giving birth, she hinted at her upcoming maternity leave as she cryptically tweeted about taking a 'little sabbatical' away from her work as a TV host.
She told how she had pre-recorded some TV shows, including her hosting gig on Only Connect, as she shared her last TV column in The Telegraph before her break.
Victoria wrote: 'My TV column today is the last in a while - I'm taking a little sabbatical, though I HAVE recorded some TV shows for people to shout at in my absence. For my last pre-break column I've written about Blankety Blank and my new friend Lozza.'
The pair met at a showbiz party in 2007, and even though David admitted he was instantly smitten with the fellow writer and broadcaster, three years went by before they actually got together.
