Lucy Kennedy has revealed how she believes getting online abuse has made her a stronger person.
The presenter, 44, whose new show Lodging With Lucy airs next month, said after interviewing controversial Katie Hopkins on her show in 2018, she received a backlash of anger.
The mum-of-three told how despite being slammed by so many people for having the outspoken British media personality on her show, it has made her “tougher and stronger”.
Speaking to the Irish Sunday Mirror, Lucy said: “I have never had negative press.
“There has obviously been the odd weirdo who sends me a message but I think they are hilarious and I don’t care.
“But after I interviewed Katie Hopkins it was the first time in my career I got hassle and that was a shock.
“I wasn’t used to it and I grew up overnight and it has done nothing but good for me. It’s made me tougher and stronger.”
Speaking about her new show Lodging With Lucy, the presenter said she loved filming the series which will feature six different characters.
She added: “So Livin’ With Lucy obviously can’t come back, we were determined to make it but with Covid-19 we have had to tweak it. So, rather than me living with the celebrity in their houses, the celebrities are coming to this posh guest house and living with me.
“Paul McGrath was the first guest and he was amazing.
"He is one of the nicest, most humble people I think I have ever met in my life.
“He’s so open and self-deprecating. I feel like he’s so hard on himself. He’s had a really tough life. I love somebody who is real and not living this Instagram life nobody actually has.”
And Lucy admitted despite appearing very bubbly, she can be shy at times.
She added: “I know a lot of people think I’m very outgoing but I’m not and there’s a shyness to me – but the perception I give is one thing.
“What I have learned from Livin’ With Lucy is that our perception a lot of the time of people is wrong.
“When you are living with someone you really get to know the person. It’s three days and very intimate.”
Meanwhile Lucy, whose children’s book The Friendship Fairies Go To School was released last week, told how her biggest achievement has been seeing her name in print.
She admitted: “I burst out crying when I saw the cover of the book.”
- Lodging With Lucy airs on Virgin Media One on September 28 at 9pm.
