Scarlett Moffatt has been defended by fans after some This Morning viewers cruelly targeted her over her appearance on the show. The former Gogglebox star appeared live on the ITV daytime programme on Tuesday (July 19) to chat to hosts Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond.
She joined them on the famous sofa to speak about her new documentary, Britain’s Tourette’s Mystery: Scarlett Moffatt Investigates, which sees her venture into documentary making for the first time. Scarlett has already shared her own personal link to the Channel 4 doc.
Scarlett was diagnosed with Bell's palsy after experiencing sudden onset tics at school. The 31-year-old admitted to being left feeling out of control of her body as she tried to 'suppress' her facial tics so that she didn't stand out and draw attention to herself.
It has also been revealed that since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic paediatricians and child mental health practitioners have recorded a stark increase in the prevalence of tic disorders among children and teenagers.
In her new programme, Scarlett travels around the country to delve into the mystery, meeting some of those who have been recently diagnosed with the condition, scientists grappling with the new phenomenon, and a group of Tourette’s TikTok influencers.
"I remember that being quite a scary time, not being able to control my own body," she said. "When I started seeing all these articles and TikToks about loads of young girls who were around my age when I got it, getting sudden onset tics, I just felt like it was something I wanted to investigate and luckily the telly powers that be allowed that to happen."
She also spoke to Alison and Dermot about another of her new shows, titled Scarlett’s Driving School, which she is set to host on the BBC. She will provide support for fellow learners as they take an intensive course run by some of the UK’s top driving instructors.
But the former Queen of the I'm A Celebrity jungle is still yet to be behind the wheel herself. She revealed she started learning when she was 17 and that she can now successfully complete roundabouts but still struggles with manoeuvres.
Dermot asked if she had considered driving might not be for her, to which she replied: "I do not give up." Fellow presenter Alison then queried if it is the instructor who makes her nervous, which got Scarlett to jokingly admit: "No, I just can’t drive."
She added: "Honestly, I’d love to go: ‘It’s because of the instructors or the examiners," before adding: "I started when I was 17, I’m now 31. I can do roundabouts, manoeuvres I still need to work on, but I’m definitely getting better."
When asked if her instructors tell her if they think she is ready for the test before sitting, she bluntly said: "Yeah, liars" which had the presenters in fits of giggles. But Scarlett's vibrant appearance on the show led to trolling comments and This Morning fans were quick to defend her.
@missohlola fumed: "I KNEW i'd find some of you nasty p****s fat shaming poor Scarlett, shame on you, you never fail twitter trolls do you #ThisMorning." @LukeHayesII1 replied: "She is my celebrity crush. People are just so horrible."
@shrimpsy29 commented back: "There’s been a lot of them the last couple of weeks getting ridiculous." @DanniizDesignz shared: "Size shouldn't matter, unless it isn't really badly affecting their life. 'Scarlett Moffatt says she's happier as a size 18 than an 8' Good for her! She shouldn't have to prove anything or be a certain size for anyone else. #ThisMorning."
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