Jake Quickenden has learnt to ignore social media abuse tormenting him and his one-year-old son Leo.
The X Factor star shares son Leo with fiancée Sophie Church and the pair have proudly shared photos of their baby boy across social media.
However, it hasn’t been an easy first year for the family, who have had to face vile comments on social media, including some trolls calling the baby ‘ugly’ and saying he ‘should die’.
But Jake has now learned to ignore the trolls tormenting his son and his parenting, despite how it affected his mental health in the past.
Speaking on Loose Women, Jake, who was joined by Leo on stage, said: ‘It’s one of those things, when you do have a platform, unfortunately, you’re always going to get it.
‘You’re going to get people questioning your decisions, questioning the way you father, and other things in life, and it’s quite upsetting.
‘I’m starting to get my head around it a little bit more, because I always feel like if you meet me and you know me, then you wouldn’t say it, so why do I let these people affect me when they don’t know me?’
Admitting he doesn’t know why he lets them affect him in this way, the 33-year-old added: ‘I argue, and I let it affect my mental health, and it gets me down, and especially when he was born – it was a tough few months.’
Speaking of the vile trolls who comment on his social media posts, Jake said: ‘They always pick on the things that hurt you, and I think that’s why they went for Leo.
‘I can’t imagine a human being being that mean to a little baby, but it happens, and I think they’re probably doing that to get to me.’
He added, one year on, he’s learning to get past it now, and not letting it bother him as much.
‘I’m in a bubble of happiness right now, he’s just the most amazing thing, I’m back working, doing what I love.’
Last month, Jake addressed trolls on Instagram, in a defiant selfie where he told them to ‘eat poo’.
He wrote: ‘Got out of bed went to the zoo, all you trolls can eat some poo!!! Feel like I’m holding Leo back he wouldn’t go swimming with the sea lions and didn’t wanna ride a giraffe, left him with the lions for a-bit while we went for a jager bomb, to finish it off was annoyed that he didn’t wanna drive home!!
‘Thanks for all the nice messages from the normal nice people!’
Despite some horrible messages, many fans supported the star and his family, sharing outpourings of love.
‘You don’t need to explain s**t to anyone,’ one posted. ‘You’re doing absolutely amazing and it’s nice to see dads spending time with their babies.’
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Jake Quickenden tells trolls to ‘eat poo’ as he shares defiant selfie with son Leo
