Paige Deville has spoken out against comments made by Shaun Ryder after she quit Gogglebox.
The former TV star recently announced that she was leaving the show and cited the lack of aftercare as a reason – prompting Channel 4 to insist that the welfare of its contributors was "of paramount importance".
The Happy Mondays star, who has appeared on the celebrity version alongside bandmate Bez, later criticised her statement in an interview with The Express, asking what she needed aftercare for.
He said: "No support about what? What do you need support for? What the f**k do you need support for on f**king Gogglebox for f**ks sake?"
Speaking about Ryder's take on her exit, Paige told BirminghamLive: "I couldn't believe it when I read his comments. I was absolutely gobsmacked.
"I am a huge Shaun Ryder fan and think him and Bez are hilarious. I have sent messages before on Twitter to them saying what a huge fan I am.
"But comments like the ones he has made implying I am woke or a snowflake are not helpful. You need the aftercare to deal with trolls like him."
She added: "It's okay for him as he is a big celebrity and has years of experience dealing with fame. But I am just a normal person with no experience of fame until Gogglebox came along."
Channel 4 previously responded to Paige's claims of "zero aftercare support" in a statement to Digital Spy, saying: "The welfare of contributors – past and present – is of paramount importance and robust protocols are in place to support contributors before, during and after taking part in the series."
Related: Where are all the ex-Gogglebox stars now?
Paige has since tweeted: "These are just a few things I felt needed to be aired about REAL issues being on a reality show.
"I have never been so happy and free since deciding to leave & that chapter is now closed but felt I have had to justify myself as people are still commenting.
"BE KIND, always xx"
Catherine was Digital Spy's News Editor between 2018 and 2024. Prior to that she worked at OK! Online, and has interviewed a slew of celebrities across her career in entertainment news, including Tom Hanks, Cheryl and Noel Fielding. Catherine also has specialist knowledge in all things drag, interviewing a huge portion of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4’s show Drag SOS. LinkedIn
