Alex Scott: Strictly star addresses rape and death threats over BBC job ‘They were upset’
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Alex Scott, 35, retired from playing football back in 2017 after 140 appearances. In 2018, she became a pundit for Sky Sports, sitting alongside the likes of Gary Lineker and Jamie Redknapp.
I never understood why me talking about football offended people
Alex Scott
The ex footballer was the first female to be invited to cover the men’s World Cup for the BBC that year.
Despite her new role being a dream job, Alex admitted she was often trolled online and even received death threats.
The Strictly star said the abuse was hard to take, but, “I knew me sitting alongside Gary Lineker would make it easier for the female players coming up behind me”.
Reflecting on the abuse she received, she added to The Telegraph: “It upset my mum.
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“I never understood why me talking about football offended people.
“They were upset I knew what I was talking about. Why are they so surprised and angry that I’m good at what I do?”
Alex admitted the excessive trolling made her question whether the job was worth it.
She added: “I thought, ‘Why am I doing this? Is being on TV talking about football worth being threatened on social media?’
“But then something shifted and I thought, why should I stop doing it? They [the trolls] are not going to win.”
A year later, the former Lioness signed up for Strictly Come Dancing and danced with professional dancer Neil Jones, 37.
Alex was Neil’s first celebrity partner on the main show.
During their time on the series, the football pundit and Neil raised eyebrows about the close relationship.
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But, the pair, who are both single, have continuously denied they are no more than friends.
Alex came out of a long-term relationship before her time on Strictly, while Neil announced his split from Katya Jones back in August.
At the time of the show, Neil said of him and Alex: “There’s nothing on our minds but the show – we don’t have time to think about anything else.
“I’m single but I haven’t even thought about dating. Coming out of a long-term relationship I’m just focusing on Strictly.”
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Alex added: “I’m single but it’s not like I need to find someone.
“I like things to happen organically and if someone comes into my life and we get on, then great.
“It’s not like I need to go searching for it.”
The ex footballer and Neil are currently performing on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.
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