RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Lawrence Chaney has disabled Twitter after receiving “disgusting” online abuse.
The drag queen began receiving messages from internet trolls following Thursday night’s (4 March) episode of the BBC Three hit show.
The episode saw Chaney butt heads with fellow contestant Ellie Diamond after Diamond was given the power to decide the running order for the show’s stand-up comedy challenge, which Chaney criticised as “try[ing] to set everyone up”.
Chaney has been met with a torrent of online abuse in the days following the episode’s release.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, as per Digital Spy, Lawrence wrote: “The way I’m being treated after Thursday’s episode is disproportionate to what happened. FACT! There was also someone else who was angry and upset but I suppose they aren’t a ‘fat c**t’ so all is forgiven.
“For the past 46 hours, I’ve not left the house. Nervous to answer the door for the postman and grocery delivery.”
She added: “I’ve had all of my past experience with being bullied at school, being chased home, invalidated and questioned because of ONE interaction in 8 episodes of a TV show. I was angry and upset at a friend [Diamond] who I’d been to Nandos, the cinema, nights out with. Someone who I let stay at mine after nights out in drag.”
Lawrence’s co-stars have stepped in to defend the performer. Bimini Bon Boulash wrote: “This is a @ShadyLawrence stan account and you all need to realise it isn’t that deep. It’s a television show. If you support me please don’t tear others down!”
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Diamond also spoke in support of Lawrence, tweeting: “Just remember it’s never okay to send someone hate or hateful comments! Be kind to others and KEEP YAH MOOF CLOSED!”
Former Drag Race UK star Cheryl Hole added: “The fact that you trolls have made Lawrence Chaney delete her Twitter because of the abuse you’ve given her is DISGUSTING!”
Another former contestant Baga Chipz said: “If you have contributed in the negativity towards @ShadyLawrence to the point that he has had to delete his twitter account, then you can GO TO HELL! Be kind and do MUCH better. Little cow bags.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK airs on Thursday on BBC iPlayer.
For mental health info and support, visitmind.org.uk, call 0300 123 3393, text 86463 or email info@mind.org.uk.
