Katie Piper has hit out at a twisted troll who accused her of having a “designer face”.
The brave mum-of-two, 37, has undergone almost 400 surgeries since she was the victim of an acid attack ordered by her violent ex Danny Lynch in 2008.
Since then she has amassed an army of fans and earned the nation’s support and admiration by sharing her painful journey to recovery, and focusing on campaigning on behalf of other people with burns and scars.
Yesterday morning she appeared on Sky News to speak about her experience of lockdown and promote her new book - but when she came off air, she was faced with a disgusting social media message.
A troll posted on Twitter : "Oh dear. @KatiePiper_ (Katie Piper, who she?) with lips full of Botox and a designer face drawn by surgeons, on the advertising platform called @SkyNews promoting a publication about people needing to be honest with themselves. Couldn't make it up, could you."
How would you tackle online trolls? Tell us in the comments below
She replied: "My face has been rebuilt by surgeons using other parts of my body after my face was melted down to the muscle and Skelton [sic] following an acid attack.
"But regardless, I don't owe you pretty, perhaps use your time more productively than commenting on womens appearance in the internet.”
There were other cruel comments which she dealt with by writing a very polite statement laying down a few truths.
It read: “When I first started going out (which took a really long time because I didn't want to leave the house because of people's reactions) men used to shout insults like this and other abuse at me.
“When someone writes something so awful and offensive about someone who is burnt or disfigured like me in the public eye, it makes those with visible differences at home not want to leave the house, like I never used to.
“Seeing someone like me being trolled, will only make them regress further. If it's happening to me, why wouldn't it happen to them?
“You should always learn someone's story and you should never judge someone without knowing what they've been through. You shouldn't judge them regardless, no matter what they look like.
“If someone is doing what makes them happy and they're not hurting you or anyone else, then why do you have the right to comment on their appearance.
“I didn't bring this up because it has personally affected me today. My journey has been a long one, full of incredible ups and downs but I'm out the other side now. I am strong and living a stable, happy life.
“I am talking about this for the people that don't have a support system, a group of friends, a loving family or just someone helping them to re-join society and live a normal life. This could really affect someone in the most severe way.
“I spend my days via my charity The Katie Piper Foundation seeing how much mental and psychological support it takes after a burns injury, or a disfigurement. My volunteers, specialists, nurses and doctors spend years with our patients helping them prepare again physically and mentally for the 'real world’.
“The sad reality is, this is the real world we live in. It was National Suicide Prevention day last week - have we learnt nothing of the damage words can do?
“Whilst many feel this pain, I see this negative attention thrusted mostly upon women. I obviously haven't had work done to my face for a vanity reasons, but even if I had, that is NOT a problem. Why do women always get torn down about their appearance?”
Katie’s new book, A Little Bit Of Faith, is packed with 365 daily devotionals to help you find positivity a sense of wellbeing.
It was inspired by her finding God and becoming a Christian in the dark days after the acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries.