An Only Connect contestant has responded to online trolls after she was attacked with derogatory comments on social media.
Contestant Danielle Cope, who appeared on Monday night’s new episode, defiantly hit back at the skeptics, declaring she was proud to be a “loud, fat, confident woman.”
The BBC quiz show, hosted by 51-year-old Victoria Coren Mitchell, returned for a new season and featured two teams: the Al Frescans, led by Danielle, and the Midlanders.
Danielle, who was introduced as a health and wellness expert, was excited to be taking part in the show, saying that her team have been long-time fans of her and were thrilled to be selected.
Despite winning the game 28-18, Danielle reached out to X after the episode aired to address the considerable attention she had received online—most of which was negative.
An Only Connect contestant has responded to online trolls after she was attacked with derogatory comments on social media (pictured: presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell)
Danielle Cope (center), who appeared in the new episode on Monday night, defiantly hit back at the skeptics, declaring she was proud to be a “loud, fat, confident woman.”
She wrote: “I went through the tweets about Only Connect and was quite shocked that most of them were about me.
“But then again, I’m a loud, fat, confident woman. Maybe I should be proud that I annoyed so many people! I was also ashamed of 99% of the things I said.”
She also commented that some viewers had misunderstood her pronunciation of “horned viper” as presumptuous, and that despite the criticism, she was staying positive and focused on the competition as her team had advanced to the next round.
Danielle continued: “It’s also funny that so many people take the ‘horned viper’ excuse as presumptuousness rather than silliness.
“I’m glad I made an impression and helped the series get off to a great start. I can’t wait to watch it normally next week.”
Host Victoria publicly supported her on social media and told her that viewers appreciated her presence on the show.
She wrote: “Psst, now let it go you beautiful creature. Social media isn’t real, it’s just places where people go to shout things. You are clever and funny and viewers love you ❤️”
Danielle responded immediately, thanking the host and assuring that she did not feel affected by the online comments.
Danielle reached out to X to address the considerable attention she was receiving online – much of it negative
Host Victoria publicly supported her on 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 earlier this week and featured two teams: the Al Frescans, captained by Danielle, and the Midlanders.
Other viewers also expressed their support and praised Danielle on X, formerly known as Twitter, for her performance and character.
She replied: “Thank you Victoria, you are absolutely right! I won’t let this get me down ❤️’
Other viewers also expressed their condolences and praised her performance and character, writing: ‘A guy who thinks he’s cool and knows how to have a good time at the same time blew me away. Cheers to loud, confident women!!’
“Danielle, I really mean it – I thought you were great. There’s a reason the show started with you. It’s because your character really shone through the screen. It shouldn’t matter what women look like, but you looked great! And you’re super smart! You’re my favorite.”
“Oh no! Watching last night I thought how absolutely amazing you are. Funny, witty, you’re nailing Only Connect like a true fan. Honestly you were brilliant. I was so glad your team won. B****x to the haters.
“As a former quiz show contestant, I would advise anyone who appears on TV never to look themselves up on social media. What people say is really awful and completely unfounded. They are just jealous that it isn’t them.”
“You did great. It takes a lot of courage to be on a game show. I was too scared of online hate to push through any more applications.”
Previously, Victoria and her husband David Mitchell made a rare joint appearance at a star-studded party at The Farm Shop in Mayfair last month – ten months after the birth of their baby daughter.
The 49-year-old actor and Victoria made the surprise announcement last year that they had given birth to their second daughter, June Violet, on October 26.
And they enjoyed 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 floral dress, which she wore with stilettos and a glittery gold bag.
She appeared to be in high spirits as she walked home with David by her side, looking smart in his navy blue suit.
The couple were then seen getting into a black taxi to return home after their night together.
David Mitchell and Victoria Coren, 51, made a rare appearance last month when they attended a party at The Farm Shop in Mayfair – 10 months after giving birth to their baby daughter
And they enjoyed a night off from parenting this week as they headed to the party, which was also attended by Katherine Ryan and Claudia Winkleman.
The couple were then seen getting into a black taxi to head home after their rare evening together
Victoria kept her pregnancy a secret, but hinted at her impending maternity leave before the birth when she cryptically tweeted that she was taking a “little time off” from her work as a TV presenter.
She said she had pre-recorded some television shows, including her hosting appearance on Only Connect, when she published her final television column in the Telegraph before her break.
Victoria wrote: “My TV column today is the last one for a while – I’m taking a little break, although I have recorded some TV shows for people to shout at in my absence. In my last column before the break I wrote about Blankety Blank and my new friend Lozza.”
The two met at a show party in 2007, and although David admitted that he immediately fell in love with the fellow writer and radio presenter, three years passed before the two actually got together.
