Only Connect star hits back at critics after vicious backlash declaring: ‘I’m loud, fat and confident’ as host Victoria Coren Mitchell shares message of support

An Only Connect participant has responded to online trolls after she became the target of derogatory comments on social media.

Contestant Danielle Cope, who appeared on Monday night’s new episode, hit back at the critics, saying she’s proud to be a “loud, bold, confident woman.”

The BBC quiz show, hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, 51, returned for a new season and featured two teams: the Al Frescans, led by Danielle, and the Midlanders.

Danielle, who was introduced as a health and wellness expert, expressed her excitement about being on the show. She explained that her team had been fans for years and were thrilled to be selected.

But despite winning the match with 28 points to the Midlanders’ 18, Danielle spoke to X after the episode aired about the huge amount of attention she received online – most of which was negative.

Danielle Cope (center), who appeared on the new episode Monday night, responded strongly to the critics, saying she’s proud to be a “loud, bold, confident woman.”

She wrote: ‘I was scrolling through the tweets about Only Connect and was quite shocked to see that most of them were about me.

“But then again, I’m a loud, fat, confident woman. Maybe I should be proud of the fact that I’ve annoyed so many people! I also got chills at 99% of the things I said.”

She also commented on how some viewers misinterpreted her pronunciation of ‘horned viper’ as pretentious, but that despite all the criticism, she remains positive and focused on the competition as her team has made it through to the next round.

Danielle continued: ‘It’s also funny that so many people see the use of ‘horned viper’ as pretentious rather than nonsense.

“Either way, I’m glad I made an impression and started the series off with a bang. I can’t wait to watch it again next week.”

Presenter Victoria publicly supported her on social media, telling her that viewers appreciate her presence on the show.

She wrote: ‘Ssh, go away now you beautiful creature. Social media doesn’t really exist, it’s just a place for people to go and shout things out. You’re smart and fun and the viewers love you ‘

Danielle responded quickly, thanking the host and assuring her that she would not be influenced by the online comments.

Danielle went to X to address the significant amount of attention she was receiving online – much of which was negative

Presenter Victoria publicly supported her on social media and told her that viewers appreciate her presence on the show

Danielle was quick to respond, thanking Victoria and confirming that she would not be affected by the online comments

The new series resumed earlier in the week and featured two teams: the Al Frescans, led by Danielle, and the Midlanders.

Other viewers also offered words of support, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, praising Danielle for her performance and character

She replied: ‘Thank you so much Victoria, you are absolutely right! I won’t let it get to me ‘

Other viewers also offered words of support, praising her performance and character, writing: ‘”A man who thinks he’s good and is also known as a buster” had me hanging. Kudos to the loud confident women!!’

“Danielle, I mean it – I thought you were amazing. There’s a reason the show started with you. It’s because your character really shone through the screen. It shouldn’t matter what women look like, but you looked amazing! And you’re super smart! You’re my favorite”

‘Oh no! When I watched last night I thought how incredibly beautiful you are. Funny, sparkly, totally GOT Only Connect in the style of a true fan. Honestly you were brilliant. I was so happy your team won. B****x for Haters.

‘As a former quiz show contestant I would tell anyone on TV to never look themselves up on social media. The things people say are truly awful and completely unfounded. They are just jealous that it’s not them.’

‘You did an amazing job, it takes a lot of courage to enter a game show, I was too scared of online hate to continue with more entries’

It came after Victoria and her husband David Mitchell hosted a rare get-together at a lavish party at The Farm Shop in Mayfair last month, 10 months after welcoming their daughter.

The 49-year-old actor and Victoria surprisingly announced last year that they welcomed their second daughter, June Violet, on October 26.

And they enjoyed a night off from parenthood this week, as they attended the party, which was also attended by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Claudia Winkleman.

For the party, Victoria looked summery in a blue floral dress, paired with stiletto heels and a glittering gold bag.

She looked cheerful as she headed home with David at her side, who looked dapper in a navy suit.

The couple were then spotted getting into a black taxi home after a night out.

David Mitchell and Victoria Coren, 51, made a rare appearance last month when they attended a party at The Farm Shop in Mayfair – 10 months after welcoming their baby daughter

And they enjoyed a night off from parenthood this week, as they attended the party, which was also attended by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Claudia Winkleman.

The pair were then seen getting into a black taxi to head home after the rare night out together.

Victoria kept her pregnancy a secret, but before she gave birth, she hinted at her upcoming maternity leave, tweeting cryptically about taking a “little sabbatical” from her work as a TV presenter.

She said she had recorded a number of TV programmes, including her presenting work on Only Connect, and had written her final TV column in The Telegraph before taking a break.

Victoria wrote: ‘My TV column today is the last for a while – I’m taking a bit of a sabbatical, although I have recorded a few TV shows for people to shout about in my absence. For my last column before the break I’ve written about Blankety Blank and my new friend Lozza.’

The couple met at a showbiz party in 2007. Although David admitted he fell in love with the writer and presenter straight away, it took another three years before they actually got together.