Alex Scott says she won't let trolls 'bring her down' amid A Question of Sport backlash
The former footballer turned TV presenter was bombard with abuse after she was linked to quiz show Question of Sport following Sue Barker's departure
Alex Scott has vowed not to let the trolls bring her down after revealing the abuse she received over being linked to Sue Barker's job on A Question of Sport.
Former footballer turned TV presenter Alex was hotly tipped is to be taking the reigns of the long-running BBC quiz show after the departures of Barker and team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell were announced last week.
Alex, 35, said her transition from sport to TV hasn't been easy with a constant stream of trolls trying to bring her down.
"At first, I thought no one liked me on TV as there was a whole lot of negativity online, but I've got to a place now where those sorts of comments are only like 10 to 20% and I have a whole audience that does love me and is behind me," she said in an interview with Hello magazine.
"I don't want to let that small percentage stop me or get me down when I've worked so hard to be where I am."
To further her career ambitions Alex said she would go to recording studios after football practise to hone her craft and also completed a degree in sports writing and broadcasting.
"I prepare extensively for every show and love what I do," she added.
Alex said she was 'very proud' of her career after successfully moving from footballer to pundit to TV host to Strictly star all within the last five years.
The multi-talented star broke her cover on Friday to thank fans for their 'love and support' after receiving abuse and 'disgusting' comments over a rumour she was stepping into Sue Barker's shoes on A Question of Sport.
Alex took to Instagram to share a poem that she originally penned for International Women's Day in 2018 that still resonates with her today.
"I was that girl that played football, with no regards to the colour of my skin.
"I was that girl that played football because I always wanted to win."
She added: "Some want to say I'm ticking a box, but that's not me.
"Football is football, and that is what I see.
"Hi, hello, I'm Alex Scott, and you know what, Football is me."
Alex was strongly rumoured to join the long-running quiz show last week with Match of the Day's Gary Lineker only fuelling speculation by congratulating her on Twitter.
"Congratulations and good luck to @AlexScott on being the new host for Question Of Sport.
"Smart, knowledgeable and perfectly qualified for the role. Oh... and if you have a problem with Alex getting the job, you might just be part of the problem," said Gary.
He was later forced to delete the message when the BBC released a statement saying 'no conversations have been had' with Alex.
The corporation was bombarded with negative comments after it was announced Sue Barker was exiting the show after 24 years along with captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnel.
Sue, 64, later said she wouldn't have left the show and hinted she was only doing so because she was 'removed.'
"I love the show so much they would have to remove me, it would have been tough for me to walk away.
"I absolutely loved my 24 years fronting A Question Of Sport, it's been my dream job," she told the Daily Mail.
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