Katie Piper opened up about what it means to be brave at the Pride of Britain Awards - after a week that's seen her contend with vile online abuse.
Arriving at the ceremony alongside husband Richard James Sutton, chic Katie exuded star power in a flowing ruby red gown accessorised with a silk rose hairpiece. But behind the glamour, the Loose Women star has had to navigate a tough road to her current life of red carpets, TV work and high-profile campaigning.
As viewers settle in to see this year's Pride of Britain winners celebrated on ITV this evening (October 24), many will be struck by the courage of those nominated - some of whom have had to overcome incredible odds. On the subject of bravery, Katie has some insightful thoughts, which she has shared with the Mirror.
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Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)Image:
Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
Offering a powerful message to readers, Katie told us: "I think being brave is an interesting concept because it's never really a choice. It's often the only choice that people are left with. Watch things like this, because this is positive content. And if you can watch stories like this. and you can relate to it, you realise it's in each and every one of us."
Katie also reflected upon what the Pride of Britain Awards means to her, sharing: "It's such a privilege to be invited. 25 years is such a special year and it continues to give this platform to people in their communities doing great things that we might not actually get to read about."
Sadly, Katie, 41, has had to contend with hurtful and ignorant comments from cowardly individuals hiding behind social media accounts. Just last week Katie was forced to stand up to a disgraceful troll in her Instagram comment section, who mockingly asked: "Where is your nose?" In response, Katie wrote: "Being pulled into my face by this scar tissue. It's incredibly painful."
Showing no apparent remorse, the vile troll then suggested to Katie that she jump from a window, in a sickening comment Katie then screenshotted and shared via her page. In a separate slide, Katie said: "This is not ok, and it will never be ok. If you can write something, anything, negative online and press 'post', you are a special type of person. Publishing hate into the world hurts everyone, including yourself. Don't comment on my appearance, don't threaten my life, get off the internet and stay quiet."
Image:
Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)Katie was just 24 years old when, on March 31, 2008, she was attacked in broad daylight with a cup of sulphuric acid - an assailant acting under the orders of her evil ex, Daniel Lynch. The subsequent burns on Katie's face were so severe that doctors had to cut away the skin completely, replacing it with an artificial substitute before rebuilding it using grafts. Katie has since undergone some 250 gruelling operations, and has proceeded to build an extraordinarily successful life for herself in the face of significant trauma.
After overcoming incredible odds, determined Katie has carved out a name for herself as a well-liked TV personality, documentary maker, author, and podcaster. Through her Katie Piper Foundation, the mum-of-two has dedicated her to supporting those living with burns and scars and was awarded an OBE for her remarkable services to charity in 2022.
And she has plenty more interesting projects in the pipeline. Katie told us: "I've just finished filming in America, making a documentary series in women's prisons. It's called 'Locked Up In Louisiana' and it's going to be on the W channel around March next year."
- Don't miss the Pride of Britain Awards, Thursday 24th October, 8pm ITV1 and ITVX
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