Gogglebox Australia fan favourites Tim and Leanne have spoken out about being targeted by vile, racist trolls on social media. And by Tim and Leanne, I mean just Tim via their shared account because the racist trolling has become so incessant, that Leanne was forced to quit social media. For fuck’s sake, I can’t believe we still have to deal with this shit.
The siblings are beloved members of the voyeuristic telly show after joining a couple of years back and are legit the sweetest humans.
Tim, one half of the Gogglebox duo, shared an Instagram Story on their joint Insta account, showing an example of the type of racist abuse the siblings are subjected to, which serves as a reminder of Australia’s huge problem with Asian hate.
“This is the reason I now fully manage our IG and FB. This is why Leanne has quit social media,” Tim wrote.
“How much hurt and trauma must someone have gone through for them to lash out at someone because of the colour of their skin, because of who they love, because of wanting to live their authentic self.”
Gogglebox stars Tim and Leanne shared on Instagram. (Credit: Gogglebox)
It comes after the star of Gogglebox stablemate, Masterchef judge Melissa Leong, was targeted by racist trolls after joining the show last year.
Her fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo shared a screenshot of the Instagram message he received that read: “Geez I will be glad when this dumb arse MasterChef finishes I wouldn’t watch it but sick of while watching other 10 program.
“Having to watch trailers of you and that painful g**k criticise what is put in front of you because a pea is in the wrong place half the stuff no one would ever make geez you are so far up yourselves.”
Jock replied in his caption, “Where to begin with this… Firstly I can only assume you are referring to @fooderati when you used the term ‘g**k’. She’s actually Melissa, she’s my work wife, my sister, my mate, she drinks espresso like I do, she is able to express and articulate a damn sight better than you can clearly and that is just the beginning Graham.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB917h_Hivn/?utm_source=ig_embed
“She’s a woman whose origin happens to be different than yours, but why does that make you so afraid? I feel sorry for you that you cannot see past the colour of someone’s skin or actually the fact they are just different than your white ass in any way.”
He added, “Graham, please get educated and be a better human. You owe it to yourself and everyone around you who are most probably too embarrassed by the shit you say to let you know.
“I’m sick of this type of thing getting sent to me so here’s a heads up… if you send this kind of s**t to me it’s getting called out,” he concluded.
Melissa reposted the comment on her Instagram Stories, writing: “I couldn’t help myself, I had to mark this one up. Grammar is the difference between knowing your shit, and knowing you’re shit.”
#STOPASIANHATE
Gogglebox and Masterchef both air on Ten.
