Angry Fearne Cotton brands online critics ‘bullies’

Fearne Cotton has hit back at criticism of her part in the BBC’s coverage of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Her tweets come after the broadcaster received 2,400 complaints from the public about some of the live broadcasts, in particular footage of the river pageant with its “inane” commentary, camera angles and sound quality, and a sequence in Tuesday’s coverage which saw Cotton and singer Paloma Faith discussing a jubilee-themed sickbag.

She wrote: “People who sit lazily and judge others will never grow. They’ll never take a look at themselves or feel content. Shame so many do.”

In another tweet, she said: “Grown men who slag me off in articles/online are huge bullies. I love my job and wouldnt [sic] be doing it if i wasnt [sic] any good at it.

She added: “I’m from a working-class family and have worked hard to get to where I am today. Others will just sit and do nothing but judge.”

The 30-year-old even personally tweeted one member of the public after he wrote: “You were pretty rubbish on the Pageant day, love. And if you can’t see why, then maybe you should find a new career…”

Cotton, who has a mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, replied: “Right this is what I’m talking about. YOU=bully. Take a look at yourself. I have been working non-stop for 15 years thank you.”

In response to some Twitter critics claiming they had the right to an opinion on her presenting, she added: “In my last few tweets I have not said people can’t have an opinion. Opinions are one thing, outright bullying is another. VERY different.”