ALEX Scott has revealed how vile trolls threatened to throw acid in her face, after she was rumoured to replace a national treasure on a popular TV show.
The BBC star and ex England footballer shared how the online threats had stopped her leaving her house.
Writing for The Times about the time she was rumoured to be taking over from Sue Barker as host of A Question of Sport, she said: “I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face.”
These rumours turned out to be false, with Paddy McGuinness eventually taking over.
The 40-year-old added: “There are negatives to fame. I’ve had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats.”
She explained that many people were not happy to see her on major TV channels following her career as a player.
She said: “People were saying, ‘She’s only on TV because she’s black, female and younger. She’s just ticking boxes’.
However, looking on the bright side, she said she was grateful for those who had kept her positive through the difficult time.
She said: “Luckily there are other people who keep me smiling. They’ll come up to me in my local shop and say, ‘Keep going,’ and that’s what I do.”
Rumours have been swirling recently that Alex may succeed Gary Lineker as presenter of Match of the Day.
Last year, controversial comments by Gary, comparing government legislation to that seen in 1930s Germany saw the footballing legend taken off air.
Alex stood with Gary by refusing to appear on the show in his place.
Similar action by other broadcasters saw the show pulled off schedule.
