KATIE BULMER-COOKE: Taking it to the Twitter trolls

I try to put some positivity and helpful health and fitness info out there to brighten up my followers’ feeds and provide content that informs and educates.

So, when someone on Twitter is mean to me about the way I look, I think to myself, ‘what did I do to deserve that?’

Now I understand that when you’re on the telly box or in the media, it’s to be expected that not everyone will agree with your comments, ideas and opinions, and I’m cool with that. In fact life would be pretty boring if we all agreed with each other.

I’m happy to respect other people’s opinions and I love a cheeky debate, but I’m not OK with people just being mean for the sake of it.

This week I had someone on Twitter say that I must be an awful business speaker and no one should book me because I didn’t have my shirt tucked in on a photo I posted from a gig I did in London a couple of weeks ago.

Then I had someone leave a comment on my blog calling me ugly (there were a few obscenities in there too) after they’d watched me present my show Chatty Lasses on Made in Tyne and Wear.

Now I by no means think I’m lush, but it’s canny mean saying that to someone.

And these comments have just been this week, but it is a fairly regular occurrence and it has been a lot worse in the past.

It has, however, given me a thick skin and luckily I’ve got a good sense of humor, but not everyone who gets trolled will be like me. For some people it can be a massive deal.

I try to imagine that the people making the comments are sat at home on the sofa in their washed-out underpants, having not washed their hair for two weeks, eating a Pot Noodle, dipping cheap and nasty crisps in it and dribbling it down their front.

That might sound daft, but it adds a little humor to potentially an upsetting situation and I’d encourage anyone else who gets negativity online to do the same, and ignore them too, of course.

Finally, for anyone who might have been mean to me online, and to put a more light-hearted slant on this topic, here are a few things to remember ...

I’m more than aware I have a big nose but it’s not a big deal to me, so you don’t need to tell me and it really shouldn’t matter so much to you.

I know I didn’t win The Apprentice (I was there). I’m over it and I’m OK with it. Reminding me won’t change that.

This one is for those reading this online, and not from Sunderland – I know I’ve got a strong accent, but I’m extremely proud of it and where I’m from, and slating it won’t change that.

Here’s to social media being a more happy and positive place to be, and remember ‘if you haven’t got anything nice to say ...’