‘I get death threats daily'

Bobby Norris opens up on the vile trolling he endures, how it affects his mental health and his mission to change the law

- GEMMA McCARTNEY

We’ve all found the lockdown difficult to cope with, but Bobby Norris tells new he’s had a fresh wave of vicious trolls picking him apart on social media. The TOWIE star has had a deluge of homophobic abuse, including death threats and trolls even encouraging him to take his own life.

“Lockdown has made it so much worse – it’s been terrible,” he tells us. “I don’t know if it’s because people have got more time on their hands or because they’re struggling.

“I’m a big believer that hurt people hurt other people. Whatever they’re going through, threatening to kill me and the abuse I’m being sent isn’t going to make them feel any better. Or if it does, I don’t understand the logic.”

Sadly, Bobby, 33, is no stranger to abuse about his sexuality or threats to take his life, which is why he’s been fighting for trolling to be made illegal in the UK over the past 18 months with his petition End The Trend To Troll.

“I’d stand on Big Ben if I could because so many people don’t know how bad it is,” he says.

Here, he speaks out about the bullying he’s been subjected to and his plans to meet social media bosses to discuss the problem and reveals who’s supporting him through this difficult time…

Hi Bobby. We’re sorry to hear about the trolling…

It’s so violent. It’s not like one or two trolls – I’m getting death threats daily. I love my social media, but there is that dark side. I’m getting comments like, “We’re coming to kill you,” or, “Go and hang yourself after this Instagram Live,” and, “Just kill yourself, the world would be a better place.”