Scots Chase contestant slams cruel trolls after performance on ITV show

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A Scots contestant who appeared on The Chase has opened up about ruthless trolling after her performance on the ITV game show.

Claire Wolffe-Gardiner, from Stevenson, was part of the team challenging Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha on the show on Tuesday afternoon.

Her wrong answer to a question on US presidents drew ridicule online, prompting her to warn viewers that their words can have an impact on people who appear on TV.

The 42-year-old music teacher told the Record:" I find it funny when people have such strong feelings for strangers they see on a TV show. It is just a game and not that important."

When asked which US president shared a first name with an English King, Claire incorrectly answered 'Hoover' when the right answer was 'Kennedy' - with the other choice being 'Johnson'.

The response left host Bradley Walsh puzzled and cruel trolls took social media to pile into Claire blasting her as 'thick' and 'dim'

One viewer wrote "Claire? I give up!" while another commented: "Unbelievable. Totally thick. Claire, no loss at all."

A third shared: "I don’t fancy Claire’s chances. Very dim."

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Claire said that the trolls would never have the gall to make the comments to her face.

She said: "Social media has really brought out the worst in humanity, it has allowed a platform for people to be as nasty as they like without having any consequences.

"I feel a lot of these people are perhaps unhappy in themselves and don't like seeing others live a happy life.

"Most of these people probably wouldn't make those comments face to face. But, I took the comments with a pinch of salt and try to ignore them."

With the first two questions wrong, Claire moved one step closer to the final chase, only to be stopped by two consecutive incorrect answers- with the Kennedy question eliminating her from the game.

Claire - who has always been an avid fan of The Chase - revealed she's often the person yelling at the TV, but said it is a different experience under the TV lights.

She said: "It's definitely different from sitting on your couch with a cup of coffee, answering all the questions in comparison to having a timer on you."

Despite the cruel backlash, she commended ITV and praised her 'celebrity crush' Bradley Walsh.

Claire said: "Despite everything, it was fantastic. I've loved Bradley Walsh for a long time since I was a kid, so it was a bit of a surreal moment getting to meet him.

"He was so funny and such a gentleman, he is exactly how he is on TV, very polite and friendly. He came and spoke to us all individually and as a group. It was just a lovely experience."

She added: "During filming, the show has a full mental health team and they discourage you from reading social media comments.

"They also have a wellbeing team that you can phone at any time - even after the show has been broadcast - and get mental health support if needed.

"In terms of the comments, I think online trolls should remember that they don't know what people are going through.

"They should realise that someone who perhaps isn't as comfortable in their own skin could really take things to heart and have it affect their mental health."

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