TV host Charlie Webster said youths threw a liquid on her and yelled ‘acid attack’
TV host Charlie Webster has reported youths to police after they threw a liquid over her and shouted ‘acid attack’.
Although it turned out to be tomato sauce the sports presenter feared the worst at the time.
She was walking home alongside River Thames at 1.30am yesterday when the gang of youths on bikes ambushed her.
The substance went in her eyes, on her mouth, in her hair and over her clothes as they yelled ‘acid attack’.
But afterwards the six pranksters laughed and shouted back: “It’s tomato ketchup.”
There has been a spate of bandits using corrosive substances – particularly in the capital to snatch mopeds.
Fuming Charlie, 34. said last night: “For a split second I thought my skin was about to peel off and I was about to go blind.
“I have never felt so relieved to taste tomato ketchup on my lips.”
The football, boxing and motorbikes presenter – left at death’s door in a coma from malaria on a 3,000 mile cycle ride to the Rio Olympics in Brazil last year – was with a male pal after a meal in central London.
After they strolled under Westminster Bridge, she sensed the wooshing noise of three BMX bikes from behind with one guy standing pillion on back wheel spindles.
She said: “As I turned around I was immediately hit by liquid and these three lads were shouting ‘acid attack’.
“For a second I froze, my heart went and stomach sank. My face was drenched. It was on my eyes and lips.
“Bandages and plastic surgery flashed through my mind.
“It was all over my friend’s shirt and across the back of his head. He shouted after them ‘what was that?’
“They turned around laughing and shouted back ‘it’s ketchup’.
“Then I could taste it. My friend was trying to calm me saying ‘it’s ketchup, it’s ketchup’.
“After the initial sense of relief I was angry as we got strange looks on the 1.5 mile walk home.”
Charlie, who has reported it to police, added: “These kids might think it is funny but they could progress to actual acid attacks.
“And attacking someone like that who is in vulnerable health could easily give them a heart attack. It was brainless.”
Scotland Yard confirmed officers were investigating.