John Whaite has been applauded for his stance against trolls as he makes history heading into the Strictly Come Dancing final.
The Bake Off winner from Wigan says 'vicious, empty people are a dying breed' as he prepares for his final performances with his professional dance partner Johannes Radebe.
John and Johannes are the BBC dance show's first ever all-male couple and in one powerful Instagram post he quoted some of the comments received from trolls.
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"'Woke. 'Fixed', 'Box-ticking', 'Agenda', 'Bias', 'Proving a point', 'Not natural', 'Won’t be watching the final.'"
And he clapped back by saying: "You vicious, empty people are a dying breed.
"You’ll be left behind as the world becomes kinder, more empathic, more loving, more tolerant, more understanding. The only grievance you should feel is your own failure to evolve."
Thanking fans for their support he said in another post: "Thank you all for such heart-felt messages of kindness. The love has far outweighed the hate and I’ll never forget that."
John received a flood of support including from former Strictly contestant and It Takes Two host Zoe Ball.
"Only love John xxxx" she wrote.
Manchester Pride replied: "Perfectly put, John. Love and solidarity to you both."
3_is_a_magic_no told him: "That my little boy gets to watch you dance each week without ever even questioning two men dancing together shows how far we’ve come - he absolutely loves you both."
mummyintheshire said: "My young children love to watch you dance and I love the conversation it has started about how we are all free to be however we want to be. Thank you for that."
zaracmz commented: "You guys are an inspiration to not only the LGBTQIA+ community but to everyone.
"So so much love to you both and thank you for doing Strictly x"
simonatk101 praised: "You have both entered into this with determination, grit and grace.
"Somewhere tonight there are kids watching you who know it’s ok to be gay and ok to be yourself.
"For that, thank you. For the dancing, thank you. Go out there and get it. The haters can do one."
And chef Shelina Permalloo told him: "You guys are icons - adore you both and so proud of this journey!!!!"
