Paddy McGuinness says he tries not to buy into online trolling
(Picture: Clint Hughes/PA Wire/PA Images)Paddy McGuinness said he copes with internet trolls by trying not to “buy into” their abuse too much.
The Top Gear presenter - who announced his split from wife of 11 years, Christine McGuinness, in the summer - said years in the industry have made him somewhat tough skinned.
“If you look on any kind of social media, everyone has got an opinion on everything and the thing is these days, everyone likes to share that opinion.
“A lot of people spend a lot of time on social media. You can get praised, you can get slagged off.
“There is something for everyone. But if you buy into it too much, it’s not good.
The 49-year-old Question Of Sport host, who has 58,000 followers on Twitter and two million on Instagram, told the Daily Star: “We’re in this world where pretty much most things on Twitter can be misconstrued into something negative.
"I’m not just on about telly, that goes for anything.
“Luckily for me, I’ve been doing this job for over 20 years. So I was involved in TV before social media.
“I’ve seen it all happen and I’m aware of it. So I don’t buy into it much to be honest...
“I like to surround myself with people who I can have a bit of dialogue with and a conversation.
“I want to listen to people’s thoughts and opinions if they’re done in the right way. Other than that, it’s just social media.”
The TV host and estranged wife Christine, 34, wed in June 2011 and share nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and six-year-old daughter Felicity.
