Rosie Jones hits back at cruel trolls slamming Royal Variety Performance gig
Comedian Rosie Jones has fired back at cruel comments about her Royal Variety Performance.
The 33-year-old took to the Royal Albert Hall stage at the annual event on Sunday night alongside the likes of Cher, Melanie C, McFly and singer and actress Hannah Waddingham. Rosie joined the star-studded line-up in putting on a show for the live audience and special royal guests the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Rosie performed her stand-up act to cheers and laughter from the crowd on the night. However, when the special aired on ITV on Sunday night some viewers took to social media where they made nasty remarks about Rosie's act. The comedian decided to address the comments as she told the haters she 'isn't going anywhere.'
Posting on her Instagram, Rosie said: "So I was on the Royal Variety last night I just want to make something clear, if you want to write to me to tell me that I’m not funny, don’t, because I don’t care. If you want to say that I’m too disabled to be on telly or you can’t understand me, don’t bother, because again, I don’t care and I’m going to carry on being on your screen with my big disabled voice.”
She was flooded with support from her fans as one said: "Well said Rosie! I love watching you on tv.” Another added: "You’re hilarious and seriously talented . Thank you for all you do for the disabled community as a side effect of what you do." Someone else wrote: "Spot on Rosie, if people don't like you or find you funny, that's their problem, you're lovely and hysterical."
AJ Odudu and Katherine Ryan were among the stars that wowed at the Comedy AwardsA fourth commented: "You are talented, funny and brilliant. Who ever says these horrible respectful things are jealous brainless people. Don’t ever give up on your wonderful successful career." Earlier this year, Rosie made a powerful documentary on Channel 4 about ableism, which showed her wearing headphones to block out the abuse she regularly gets in the street.
She shared that it was the "hardest thing" she's ever done and that she is regularly bombarded with hate speech online, leaving her quitting social media. Rosie said: "Everyone with any kind of platform gets a hard time. But when you add being a woman onto that, it’s harder, and when you add being disabled onto that, it’s harder still. For my own mental health and self-preservation, I take a step back from social media regularly. It can be hurtful."
Following her appearance at the Royal Variety Performance, Rosie confessed she had to edit her act. In her appearance on ITV's Lorraine on Monday morning, she said: "We all grow up watching the Royal Variety, it is iconic. It was a dream come true to do it but, you know me, I love being rude.
"I love swear words so the whole time I was like 'do not swear, you have got the future King over there." She also admitted to having an awkward encounter with Prince William after her performance. Rosie told host Ranvir Singh: "You know what, I think I broke every protocol [for meeting the royals]
"I held his hand, I touched him and I think you are meant to talk to them until they move on from you. But I had said all I had wanted to say, so I was done with the conversation, so I tapped him on the shoulder and said 'anyway, I will let you get on and I will see you later'." Rosie quipped: "I'm a busy lady."