Alex Scott defiantly says trolls ‘won’t get me down’ after vile abuse for replacing Sue Barker on A Question of Sport
FOOTBALLING ace Alex Scott won't let her trolls get her "down" after receiving horrible abuse online.
The former England star, 35, received thousands of abusive and “disgusting” comments on social media after The Sun revealed she will replace veteran host Sue Barker, 64, on A Question of Sport.
But a defiant Alex - who was awarded an MBE in 2017 - wants to focus on the positive messages she has received for her TV presenting work.
"At first, I thought no one liked me on TV as there was a whole lot of negativity online, but I've got to a place now where those sorts of comments are only like 10 to 20 per cent and I have a whole audience that does love me and is behind me," she told Hello magazine.
"I don't want to let that small percentage stop me or get me down when I've worked so hard to be where I am."
She also revealed she worked hard to get her broadcasting skills to make her qualified for TV work rather than just resting entirely on her extensive knowledge of football.
"I prepare extensively for every show and love what I do," said Alex who has a degree in sports writing and broadcasting.
She also defended the fact that it is "OK to be more than one thing".
"I can put on a dress but also the next day put on my football boots, and that should be celebrated," Alex explained.
"I'm so proud of my career but, as Strictly showed, there can be so many parts to a person, and I'm no different. I love fashion and music and I love going to my mum's in east London for a roast dinner."
Alex, who was spotted out running on Friday morning, has refused to rise to the racist and sexist comments and also responded with a poem.
The former Arsenal footballer took to her Instagram story to share a poem she had originally made for International Women's Day 2018.
In the poem, which was shared both in a video and in a snap of a London Underground whiteboard, she says: "I was that girl that played football, I really didn't care.
"I was that girl that played football, long brown hair.
"I was that girl that played football, with no regards to the colour of my skin.
"I was that girl that played football because I always wanted to win."
She continued on a similar vein, before responding more directly to criticisms of her in the media.
She said: "Some want to say I'm ticking a box, but that's not me.
"Football is football, and that is what I see.
"Hi, hello, I'm Alex Scott, and you know what, Football is me."
Proving once again how she has no intention of taking any abusive messages to heart, Alex was seen out exercising in North London on Friday.
The sports presenter was seen running in a park and doing circuit training exercises, as she made the most of the fresh autumn morning.
Many online trolls dismissed Alex's appointment - which has yet to be confirmed by the BBC - as “box-ticking” and “tokenism”.
Many also accused the Beeb of ageism for showing ex-tennis ace Sue Barker the door after 24 years.
It led to London-born Alex — of Irish and Jamaican descent — being contacted by Philip Grindell who set up Defuse, a troll-hunting firm that protects public figures.
It is the security offshoot of the Jo Cox Foundation, established after the Labour MP was killed by a far-right extremist in 2016.
A source said: “What should be a really exciting time for Alex has been marred by these awful trolls.
“The abuse she’s received across Twitter and other social media platforms has been disgusting.
“Thousands of people have been supportive but it’s the negative ones Alex will remember. She’s only human.”
While Alex insisted last year she was single and "very happy" it seems she has now found love with Coronation Street star, Sam Robertson.
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Alex and soap actor Sam, 34, who plays Ken Barlow’s bad-boy grandson Adam, enjoyed a cosy evening together on Friday at a restaurant.
Alex and Sam had a candlelit meal for two at fashionable Dean Street Townhouse in London’s Soho, sipping cocktails and chatting affectionately before heading away together later. Onlookers said they looked to be having “a brilliant time” and were “flirting” openly.
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A source said: “They both looked totally relaxed about being out together, even though they’re both very famous now.
“Strictly made Alex a household name so she’s instantly recognisable, and Sam is a big name on so they probably knew they’d be spotted out together but didn’t seem to mind at all.