Singer Duncan James has opened up about expecting to be trolled after his upcoming appearance on the BBC One show MasterChef.
James says he anticipates hateful comments around his weight and use of Botox.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the 43-year-old father and former boy bander called homophobic online bullying “terrible actually.”
“Probably after MasterChef I’m gonna get a load of abuse because I had a bit more weight on there, and had a bit of Botox before I went in…” he said.
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“So I have got a bit of the old eyebrow thing going on because it hadn’t settled,” added James. “So one thing I’ve learned is, never go on national television with fresh Botox!”
Related: Boy bander Duncan James reveals how to survive homophobia as a gay dad
He went on to share his thoughts on trolling in general, a topic he’s spoken out about in the past.
“Online trolling is disgusting. Personally I believe that verification is needed [to be able to comment online].
“If you are going to say something you’ll have to own what you say… If you went on television and say it you’d get crucified – something has to change!”
Earlier this year, James revealed that his 16-year-old daughter Tianie-Finn was also suffering online abuse.
“People can be quite nasty about me being gay and say quite horrible things about the fact that I’m a gay dad,” James told The Sun. “People have written to her, saying, ‘Isn’t it disgusting your dad’s gay? How do you feel? You must be ashamed of him,’ and stuff like that, and you’re just like, ‘Why are you writing to a kid saying stuff like that? Are you really crazy?’ People are just awful.””
Fahd
He has a point, but what to do? It does seem that trolls are ruining/have ruined online communications. Even if people get “verified”, it seems that they are willing to say all kinds of stuff from their keyboard that they otherwise wouldn’t say, either out of fear of consequences or because they don’t want to be “such jerks” in front of other people or whatever.
There’s a politician in Germany who goes to trolls’ houses in person to confront them about their hateful online insults and attacks on her. (I guess it isn’t that risky in a country with a lot of gun control, but I wouldn’t recommend it. )
A bigger problem happens when the trolls get elected (See Gaetz, Greene). It’s very important that the citizenry retain the right to rebut their social media communications.
So what to do?
C_Alan
“anticipates hateful comments around his weight and use of Botox”
He looks handsome and fit in the pic where he’s wearing a MasterChef apron.
I don’t see how he could be trolled for his looks.
Den
People who troll don’t need to be rooted in reality. They are just looking to be offensive, hurt feelings and provoke anger. You can see that clearly from the trolls here.
As a 40+ year old dad, he is bound to be heftier than a 20 something celebrity, even if it is all muscle. That is all a troll needs.
HugoOnBroadway
Well, Mr. James, I, for one would never troll you. You look great (my understatement of the year.) Many other things come to mind, but trolling you ain’t one of’em. Woof.
Sqwoah
Is this guy famous for something? Never heard of him.
Den
You do understand, do you not, that there are countries other than the US in the world? He is quite obviously from the references in the article from the UK. They have their own television programs, their own celebrities, their own slang, their own culture. He even has an extensive Wikipedia page, which I am certain you do not.
Whether you personally have heard of someone is no reflection on their fame and/or fortune. And the article clearly states what he is famous for and when he was famous. Remedial reading perhaps in your future?
jayhalleaux
Aforementioned troll above…
Sqwoah
Im actually from the UK…so maybe you should take a seat.
jayceecook
@Sqwoah That would mean you’re really young or really old if you don’t know who he is. So either willfully dim or…well both apply actually so cheers!
azianboy
He and his BLUE band members was so popular in Southeast Asia in the 90s and 2000s. I remember I had big crush on him. They were equal to One Direction back then in Asia.
greekboy
I would lick butter cream icing off of him anytime at all
garybw
I don’t know who he is, but it sounds like he’s trying to get his 16th minute of fame
Hdtex
….which is 16 minutes more than you have troll.
Robothedestroyer
Awe he’s cute. I bet he doesn’t actually need the botox tho. Honestly if he had not said anything I would not had noticed. You only really notice when somone is like O_O. But either way ppl are mean and hope they just stick to the fact the man can obviously cook (or maybe not? I guess we will see how he does in the competition).