Charlene White defends I’m A Celebrity’s Nella Rose over Dadgate saga and slams cruel online trolls as ‘petulant children’ amid backlash

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• READ MORE: Who is I’m A Celebrity 2023 contestant Nella Rose?
• READ MORE: The story behind Dadgate 

Charlene White has come to the defence of Nella Rose after the YouTuber was hit by online trolling after a tense row on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

On Tuesday, an incident now known as ‘Dadgate’ began when Nella, 26, said she felt ‘disrespected’ by Fred Sirieix, 51, after he joked he was old enough to be her father, hours after she candidly shared that her dad had passed away.

While Nella attempted to avoid Fred following the exchange, she later explained that was irked by his comment, and suggested that they keep their distance in the camp moving forward, with Nella even refusing to eat any food he cooked.

Thousands of viewers were left outraged by her reaction and flocked to Twitter calling her ‘childish’ and ‘entitled’, with some going as far as to attack her with cruel sexist, racist and fatphobic insults.

However, Charlene, 43, has now spoken out in defence of Nella, while simultaneously slamming online trolls for their cruel comments.

Charlene White (pictured) has come to the defence of Nella Rose, after the YouTuber faced a ‘pile-on’ from online trolls after appearing on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

Not happy: On Tuesday night an incident now known as ‘Dadgate’ began when Nella, 26, (pictured) said she felt ‘disrespected’ by Fred Sirieix, 51, after he joked he was old enough to be her father, hours after she candidly shared that her dad had passed away

Row: While Nella attempted to avoid Fred following the exchange, she later explained that was irked by his comment, and suggested that they keep their distance in the camp moving forward, with Nella even refusing to eat any food he cooked 

The TV presenter appeared on I’m A Celebrity last year and explained that she was also targeted by trolls during the show.

She said that while she was certain her friend Fred ‘meant no malice whatsoever’ with his comment, Nella shouldn’t be hit by cruel online trolling.

Charlene stressed that Nella was only 26 and had lost both of her parents leading to her ‘overreacting’, adding that ‘her heart went out to her’ after she saw the backlash.

Writing in her iNews column, she explained: ‘If you have not lived the jungle life, you cannot really understand how hard are those first few days emotionally and psychologically – let alone when you’re someone who has spent the past few years of your life without having parents to guide you, as has Nella.

‘And, come on now, she’s not even 30. She is allowed to find her feet in the world and not always get it right.’

Charlene added that the comments towards Nella made reference to her sex and race, which she herself experienced during her stint in the jungle, explaining her family had to delete prejudicial comments from her social media before her return. 

Charlene also slammed the online trolls, saying: ‘It’s important to remember that these people are a minority of the general population – but, my goodness, they yell and scream loudly, like petulant children desperate to have someone, anyone, listen to them. And they are usually successful in getting that attention.’ 

She went on to say that she and Nella aren’t the only people to experience this, as Alexandra Burke also became victim to prejudicial language while on Strictly Come Dancing.

Targeted: Thousands of viewers were left outraged by her reaction and flocked to Twitter calling her ‘childish’ and ‘entitled’, with some going as far as to attack her with sexist, racist and fatphobic insults

Having her say: Former I’m A Celebrity star Charlene, 43, has now come out in defence of Nella, while simultaneously slamming the ‘public vitriol’ she has received

Misunderstanding: She said that while she was certain her friend Fred, (pictured) ‘meant no malice whatsoever’ with his comment, Nella should be allowed to make mistakes without facing online abuse.

Been through a lot: Charlene stressed that Nella was only 26 and had lost both of her parents leading to her ‘overreacting’, adding that ‘her heart went out to her’ after she saw the online backlash

It comes after Nella insisted she and Fred were once again on good terms during Saturday’s episode after their row.

Following the ‘Dadgate’ drama, Nella said she was ‘friends’ with Fred again as the Snake Rock camp Away Team merged with the main camp Home Team once again this weekend. 

As Away Team member Josie arrived back in the main camp, she asked Home Team member Nella after spending a few days apart: ‘Are you and Fred friends yet?’

Nella said: ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’

Josie said: ‘Oh good. I knew you’d iron it out. I bet you get on really well now. I knew that would happen.’

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