TV presenter Jean Johansson has become embroiled in a Twitter spat with a Las Vegas-based Hamilton actor who posted about receiving 'racist and sectarian abuse'.
Gianni Capaldi, an ambassador for Celtic's charitable efforts, had Tweeted some of the vicious abuse he had received in the wake of Celtic's semi-final defeat to Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.
The 46-year-old shared screenshots of some of the Twitter messages, which were littered with abusive language. One of the messages encouraged him to "die".
But the actor went on to suggest that Johansson's recent documentary - The Truth About Scotland and Racism - had not addressed sectarian behaviour because of her support for Rangers.
Capaldi said the messages he had received were “venomous sectarian dross” before adding: “And last week’s documentary on racism in Scotland from a #Rangers fan yet no mention of this racist sectarian abuse amongst her fans.
"Class is not for everyone. #Celtic”
Capaldi did not mention 36-year-old Johansson, who is married to a former Gers player, by name.
However, the Place In The Sun presenter instantly fired back on her own Twitter account.
Johansson claimed private messages, believed to be sent from Capaldi's account to her Twitter private mail contained offensive language that deeply upset her.
She did not share images of the messages in question.
Johansson wrote: “Please stop coming for me Gianni Capaldi.
“To refer to me as a ‘Rangers fan’ rather than a documentary maker, broadcast journalist and TV presenter says a lot about you.
“As I explained to you when you chose to attack me, my programme was documenting the experiences of people of colour in Scotland. People like me.
"Please stop the footballification of my very important doc and leave me out of your whataboutery.”
She added: “I’m so sorry if you or your family has suffered abuse online.
"It’s unacceptable and abhorrent. Please stop mentioning my name, you are bringing me grief and abuse I do not deserve.”
Johansson is married to ex-Rangers player Jonatan Johansson and presents shows like Animal Park, A Place in The Sun and Landward .
She also appears as an occasional reporter on the BBC's primetime magazine programme, The One Show .
Her recent BBC Disclosure documentary on racism in Scotland revealed that she was the target of racist abuse while growing up in Port Glasgow.
In a recent interview she said: “After making this documentary, I was shocked and appalled by the racism that exists in this country.
“From a little girl too afraid to go to school for fear of abuse, to a shopkeeper who employs a white person behind the till to make the community feel more comfortable –we should all be ashamed.
“Making the programme has made me realise we have gone backwards and have a long, and perhaps impossible, way to go to fix things.”
Working in McDonald’s as a teenager, Jean was branded as a "black b******" by a vile customer who spat in her face.
Capaldi is currently at his Las Vegas home working on several upcoming projects including new action thriller King of Killers , starring Frank Grillo and Stephen Dorff.
He also recently completed A Day to Die alongside Hollywood legend Bruce Willis.
The lifelong Hoops fan was named a Celtic FC Foundation Ambassador alongside two famous pals, Line of Duty star Martin Compston and Outlaw King actor Tony Curran, in October 2021.
He locked his Twitter account, hiding it from public view, but has since deleted the profile altogether.
Both Capaldi and Johansson have been contacted for comment.
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