Dancing On Ice’s Trisha Goddard hits back at cruel trolls who said she was ‘using cancer as an excuse’ for show exit
TRISHA Goddard has hit back at trolls who accused her of "using cancer as an excuse" for her exit from Dancing On Ice.
It comes after the 62-year-old talk show host was the first to be eliminated from the skating competition last night.
The TV presenter was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2008 and has been open about the struggles she's faced during that time.
Cruel viewers had attacked the star for using her illness as an excuse for leaving the show, but she told The Sun Online: "I absolutely was using breast cancer - to raise awareness."
Speaking about the negativity she's received while competing, Trisha explained she was showing support to other women who have gone through the disease.
She said: "I wanted to support other ladies who have gone through breast cancer to try and encourage them to get fit and moving.
"It was about wearing your pressure sleeve - because so many of us don't wear ours, which led us to complications."
The TV personality added: "The other thing that I champion is mental health.
"Surgeons can do a lot for your body, but it's only people and their families who have gone through a cancer diagnosis who can tell you what it does to your mind and your self confidence.
"I was one of those people and still am to a certain extent. So was I using my cancer? Yes, absolutely, to raise awareness.
"For a competition or what have you? Seriously? I think it shows problems within those people, rather than people that have gone through cancer."
In 2017 Trisha admitted she didn't think she'd beat cancer, but that her new clean-living lifestyle helped her feel like her world wasn't falling apart - and wanted to help others feel the same.
Despite being booted off the show last night, she still believes that she had enough time to do that.
She said: "I'll take any chance to de-stigmatise mental health and to big up people and their families who go through breast cancer.
"Yeah I'll take that chance, because it's part of who I am."
Despite her short but sweet time on the ITV skating competition, Trisha admitted she will keep up her new found skills in the rink.
The fitness fanatic, who goes on trail runs of up to 10km a day, said she has a newfound love for the sport.
She explained: "I'm always looking for an extra activity so I absolutely know that I will keep ice skating."
Trisha revealed that she was involved with the sport before she had even been approached by ITV bosses.
She said: "The reason I got into was I went to a function in the States, where I live, and I met one of last year's pro skaters, Matt. I was speaking to him about teaching me how to ice skate anyway.
";Dancing On Ice had not even surfaced, so I would have gone ahead and done ice skating lessons anyway, I just got to do it in the end.
The star added: "Matt coached me in the States for a month and then I came over and met my professional skating partner Łukasz so I got to learn from the very best and had fun."