Claudia Winkleman targeted by 'professional troll' who set up fake account as her hospitalised daughter to attack Strictly presenter online
The troll secured the name Matilda Winkleman under the handle @HotWinkle to make light of the eight-year-old girl’s severe burns
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Your support makes all the difference.Claudia Winkleman has become the subject of intense online abuse after a “professional troll” set up a fake account in the name of her hospitalised daughter and used it to post jokes about her accident to her mother.
The troll secured the name Matilda Winkleman under the handle @HotWinkle to make light of the eight-year-old girl’s severe burns.
Matilda Thykier is still being treated after a candle on the doorstep of a house she was visiting during a trick or treating trip with friends at Halloween set light to her witch costume.
A social media expert told The Sun that the account was a “pop-up” created by a “professional” troll in order to hurl “guerrilla” abuse at the Strictly Come Dancing presenter without being detected, as the accounts are hard to trace.
A number of less cautious trolls also sent the TV personality, who has missed two weeks of the dancing show to care for Matilda, abusive jokes.
“This is the last thing they need at this difficult time and they will be devastated and stunned that anyone would sink so low and mock a badly injured child,” a source close to Winkleman and her husband, Kris Thykier, added.
Winkleman has three children - Matilda, 8, Jake, 11, and Arthur, 3 - with the film producer.
The couple released a statement following their daughter’s injury last week.
“Our daughter was involved in an accident on Friday night while celebrating Halloween,” it read.
“She is having the best care possible and we are hopeful of a full recovery.
“We would like to thank everyone that has been so supportive and particularly the NHS doctors, nurses and staff who have been absolutely incredible.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone taking part in fireworks parties or Guy Fawkes celebrations to be vigilant about the dangers of candles, open fires and fireworks and to be please have the appropriate safety measures in place and to hand.”
Winkleman is expected to return to Strictly Come Dancing for the Blackpool leg of the competition next week.
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