Tipping Point contestant James issued a warning to viewers after he was viciously trolled on social media.
During Thursday (November 12) afternoon’s instalment of the popular ITV quiz show, host Ben Shephard was joined in the studio by hopefuls Sanjiv, Amelia, James and Roma.
Sanjiv and Roma were eliminated in the earlier rounds, leaving Amelia playing against James for a place in the final.
What happened with James on Tipping Point?
As the episode played out, a number of viewers took to social media to post cruel comments about James, including vile homophobic messages.
Others branded him “annoying” or mocked him for getting what they thought were easy questions wrong, including one point in the show where he said he didn’t know who footballer Harry Kane was.
Read more: Tipping Point: Contestant Di has viewers gripped in ‘tense’ final round
A drag queen account that appeared to be run by James, under the alter-ego Charra Tea, hit back at the “absolutely ridiculous” comments made about him and the other contestants.
Warning about ‘horrendous’ abusive messages
He also warned viewers not to make nasty posts about people on TV, as they had no idea how the individuals would take it.
He said: “Not tweeting this because I’m upset at ALL, just tweeting this to raise awareness of online bullying! Yes I signed up to be on a TV show but this is absolutely ridiculous.
I would hate to think of someone else being on the show and receiving tweets like this because this could seriously effect somebody.
“The amount of racist, homophobic and sexist tweets made about me and my filming mates is absolutely horrendous. Most of which come from those who are triple my age.
“Imagine being an 18 year old and going on TV to read this online after?”
Writing further, he said he “couldn’t give a rat’s [bleep]” about the abuse, adding: “But what if I did? I would hate to think of someone else being on the show and receiving tweets like this because this could seriously effect somebody.”
James tells trolls to ‘re-evaluate’ themselves
James also told trolls to “seriously re-evaluate” and called for more awareness of the abuse quiz show contestants face.
He concluded: “Act your age and just treat others the way you want to be treated and don’t hide behind your keyboard.”
2. the amount of racist, homophobic and sexist tweets made about me and my filming mates is absolutely horrendous. Most of which come from those who are triple my age. Imagine being an 18 year old and going on TV to read this online after? #tippingpoint
— charra tea (@TeaCharra) November 13, 2020
4. And receiving tweets like this because this could seriously effect somebody. If you are someone who sits and watches someone they don’t know on TV and thinks to tweet something homophonic, racist or sexist then you seriously need to re-evaluate! #tippingpoint
— charra tea (@TeaCharra) November 13, 2020
5. Rant over! But there needs to be awareness of this. Those people you see on tv are people and WILL see your tweets! act your age and just treat others the way you want to be treated and don’t hide behind your keyboard #tippingpoint #itv
— charra tea (@TeaCharra) November 13, 2020
Some viewers left nice comments about James, who was beaten by Amelia to the final.
Read more: Tipping Point: Contestant Gary distracts viewers with ‘come to daddy’ comment
One said: “James is invoking all of my maternal instincts, I want to give him a cup of cocoa and say ‘never mind, love’.”
Another wrote: “You have to admit, James did bloody well for his age.”
James is invoking all of my maternal instincts, I want to give him a cup of cocoa and say “never mind, love” #TippingPoint
— Yan (@menameyan) November 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/hairdresserJo/status/1326928681835651085
ED! contacted ITV for comment.
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