TV sports presenter reveals hospital health battle after ‘horrific' comments about her weight when she appeared on Formula One coverage
TV sports presenter Lee McKenzie has spoke out after being targeted by online trolls who made 'horrific' comments about her weight.
McKenzie is a regularly presenter on both Channel 4 and the BBC and has worked on a variety of sports including F1, rugby and equestrian.
The 47-year-old made an appearance for the broadcaster's coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix - in which Oscar Piastri claimed his fifth victory of the season - on Sunday.
However, McKenzie's return was met by online trolls who commented on her physical appearance on the day and now the Channel 4 presenter has revealed that she had been struggling with 'health issues' in recent weeks.
Taking to Facebook, she wrote: 'I've been thinking about whether I should post this but I will as it's not just about me, it's for all women and men too.
'Last month I went into hospital for an operation and I've been struggling with some health issues for a while now.
'As you see on here I'm a private person and I post about my work, not too much about life outside of work. I don't need or want attention or validation.
'But the comments about my appearance and weight at the Spanish Grand Prix have been horrific. I've had to turn off comments on my social media. It's worth saying they came from women and men alike.
'If you don't like what someone wears or looks like on television, feel free to think about it but why send it to them? Why contact someone to be deliberately rude?
'I'm a journalist and I'm good at my job and I'm furious that this affects me. But it does and there will be people out there getting similar abuse that are not as strong as me. Don't do it.
'The good news is that a larger operation that I thought I was going to get isn't needed at the moment and things can be treated with medication. Many people have this. It's not about being unwell. It's about the vile comments from women and men commenting on my appearance.
'My health is improving and I'm back at the gym. For me. Not for anyone else. Think before you write to someone'.
The post has since been 'liked' by over 25,000 Facebook users and 22,000 of her Instagram followers.
Accompanying the posts was a picture of McKenzie while at a previous F1 event and a selfie from the hospital bed - where she pose with a smile and a thumbs up.
Elsewhere on the day, a dejected Lewis Hamilton made a brutal Ferrari admission after finishing sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion is still waiting for his first podium since joining the Scuderia from Mercedes and was lost for words after his misery in Barcelona .
Hamilton came home in seventh but was bumped up one place after Max Verstappen careered into George Russell , an incident which saw him demoted down to 10th.
Unable to keep up with the two McLarens and Verstappen, Hamilton was told to let Charles Leclerc pass him early in the race, giving his team-mate a leg up as he went on to finish third, and he was overtaken by Nico Hulkenberg on the penultimate lap.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Gogglebox viewers issue same complaint minutes in as Celebrity spin-off returns
Channel 4 hit show Celebrity Celebrity left fans unimpressed just minutes into the first episode as new famous duos took to the sofa to share their views on the latest telly Viewers were left feeling unimpressed just moments into the new season of Gogglebox, criticising the show's format change. The Channel 4 favourite, known for featuring regular mates and households commenting on the week's prime telly offerings and movies, took a different turn on Friday (June 6) night with the reappearance of a star-studded version. Celebrity Gogglebox made its comeback with fresh high-profile names settling in to view a selection of well-liked shows, including telly legends Paddy McGuinness, Vernon Kay and broadcasting duo Clare Balding with Alice Arnold joining the series. Fan-favourites like television host Rylan Clark alongside his mum Linda and broadcast journalist Nick Grimshaw with his niece Liv came back for more sofa critiques. Fresh faces were also spotted among the cast, such as TV star Vicky Pattison and The Only Way Is Essex personality Pete Wicks, reports the Manchester Evening News. Highlights for the celebs included programmes like Race Across the World, Faking It, Celebrity Bridge of Lies, Silence Is Golden, Big Zuu and AJ Tracey's Rich Flavours, Canal Boat Diaries, and ITV News - Trump and Musk. Nonetheless, viewers at home didn't reserve their comments on the celebrity take of the show, stating that this edition seemed a bit too 'forced'. Disgruntled opinions quickly poured in via X, previously known as Twitter, with one individual posting: "Not the dreaded celebrities again, so many of them are so annoying #Celebritygogglebox." One viewer ranted: "We watch normal #Gogglebox because it's hilarious and we love all the families. #celebritygogglebox is not funny and we couldn't care less about the celebs. It's just people watching telly." Another added their two pence, saying: "Celebrity Gogglebox just isn't funny like the original, it feels forced! #gogglebox #Celebritygogglebox." Yet, not everyone was against the concept as a fan expressed enthusiasm: "#Celebritygogglebox #Gogglebox 1st minute and we see Alex Scott and Jess Glynn. I'm already into this series, I hope we get to see the Eubanks too, TV gold are Chris and Junior." Meanwhile, Rylan has recently spilled the beans on his mum's TV future amid calls from fans for the mother-son pair to star in their own show. Chatting with the Daily Star, he revealed: "We've been offered hundreds of things. We got asked to do a travel show and the chance to go here and go there." He continued, explaining his mum's situation: "It would be hilarious, but she's just not well enough to do it. Gogglebox is enough for us. She feels comfortable doing that show because we're just sat in my kitchen." Celebrity Gogglebox is available to watch and stream on Channel 4
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Lamine Yamal will look to cement claim to Cristiano Ronaldo's throne when young pretender locks horns with superstar idol for the first time in quest for Nations League glory
Lamine Yamal declared the Nations League final would give him the chance to 'prove who I am'. As if he hasn't already done that. Blessed with jaw-dropping ability and magic feet, he is a household name at the tender age of 17. Yamal scored twice and took home the player of the match award after inspiring Spain to a pulsating 5-4 victory over France in Stuttgart, and now has 48 goal contributions in his 57 games for club and country this season. Terrifyingly, there is more to come. Using the phrase 'the sky is the limit' often feels like an easy throwaway, and it has been bandied about all too often to describe the potential of players who, one way or another, have gone on to drop off the radar, burdened by expectation. Yamal, though, is a different breed. He is destined, and always has been, for the top. He remains humbly tied to his roots, demonstrated when Mail Sport paid a recent visit to his Rocafonda and through his celebrations, in which he makes the gesture of the number 304, the last digits of the neigbourhood's local postcode. But he is also already head-first on a journey which will surely elevate him to the pantheon of all-time greats, placing him right alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. There are numerous connections between the two players despite the huge gulf in their ages. After scoring his second goal against France, Yamal even mimicked Ronaldo's famous celebration by sitting on the advertisement hoardings and posing. He will go face-to-face with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for the very first time on Sunday. Ronaldo, let us not forget, is 23 years Yamal's senior, not that he will be in a hurry to admit he is on the cusp of being usurped by the young pretender. Proving he still has 'it', the veteran scored Portugal's winner against Germany in the other semi-final. 'He's a football legend,' Yamal said. 'I, like all the players, have huge respect for Cristiano. I will do my job, which is to try to win, and that's it.' Feet planted firmly on the ground, he will know there is work to do to catch Ronaldo. Ronaldo had already won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the League Cup, and scored 17 goals for his country by the time Yamal was born. At six months, Yamal was bathed by Lionel Messi in a photoshoot and, from that point, football never let go. Fast forward 16 years, and Yamal announced himself on the world stage. His big moment came in Munich in July 2024, when his wand of a left foot dispatched a sumptuous curling effort into the top corner. Fittingly, that was also against France. Demonstrating that he was here to stay, Yamal became the youngest-ever scorer at a major tournament, replacing Pele in the record books. It is no surprise that Barcelona, who realised his genius at an early age, have already thrown money at him. Spanish law limits long-term contracts for minors, but a long-term agreement is in place for Yamal to sign until 2030 when he turns 18 in July. His future certainly lies in Catalonia, too, with his current deal containing a whopping £1billion release clause. Agent Jorge Mendes believes the only factor stopping Yamal from winning the Ballon d'Or is his age, but time is certainly on his side. Both Ronaldo and Messi were in their early 20s when they won the award for the first time, and Yamal could beat that. In Barcelona, they believe they have unearthed the heir to Messi's throne. Back in 2023, when Xavi weighed up bringing the Argentine back to the club from Paris Saint-Germain, a board member warned against it, telling him they already had the kid that PSG wanted in Yamal. Now, CIES Football Observatory have valued him at £340m. The fire still burns bright within Ronaldo, however, even as his youthful exuberance fades. He believes he is still at the top of his game, and better than his rivals. 'I am the greatest scorer in history,' Ronaldo bullishly told La Sexta. 'Although I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 in history for goals scored with the left foot. 'These are numbers, I am the most complete player who has ever existed. I play well with my head, I take good free-kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump... 'I have never seen anyone better than me.' It's hard to argue against that in the never-ending GOAT debate, although some claim Ronaldo's top-level sharpness has been dulled by his decision to join Al-Nassr. According to reports, he is expected to remain with the Saudi Pro League side. No official announcement has been made over a new deal, but he is said to have reached an agreement to extend his contract until 2027, tying him down until he turns 42. He treats his body like a temple and it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that he plays on beyond that. Unlike other 40 somethings, he doesn't have to watch his knees when he leaps into the air before landing and bellowing 'siu'. Ronaldo still looks in peak condition and enjoyed an impressive individual season, scoring 35 goals in 41 appearances as Al-Nassr finished third. He has been accused of stat-padding in the Gulf state, but the ace scores goals no matter where he is. Take his display against Germany in Munich, for example. Ronaldo was a constant thorn in the side of his opponents and popped up with the winner, tapping in to score his 137th international goal and take his career tally to 937. 'It's difficult to put into words. He takes each day as an opportunity to get better,' said Portugal boss Roberto Martinez. 'As a human, when you have success, you wake up and you have less hunger. But not Cristiano.' Countryman Bernardo Silva added: 'It's his ambition to keep going. It's never easy - to still be hungry to go every day. He's been doing this for more than 20 years. 'It's tough, but he's here with us and we're happy he scored again.' Even Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann was left in awe by the superstar's fitness. 'At 40, Ronaldo has a great body and he invests a lot in it,' he said. 'He invests a lot in himself and the result is there for all to see. He scored, it's not by chance.' Ronaldo needs just 63 more goals to become the first player to score 1,000, with Pele and Romario's claims to the milestone not officially recognised. That alone underlines his longevity and sheer defiance in the face of the dying light. Yamal, a different type of forward but seemingly just as deadly in front of goal, is unlikely to come close to that figure, but he is equally mesmersing to watch. He is unadulterated magic and will light up TV screens for decades to come. So, the stage is set. Only one of Yamal and Ronaldo will lead their country to Nations League glory, but keep a close eye on the equally irresistible subplots. Enjoy every touch and drop of the shoulder, because generational players like these deserve to be savoured. The cold, hard numbers can wait for another day.
Scottish Sun
43 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Lewis Hamilton risks wrath of his beloved Roscoe after he is seen petting Chief Mouser Larry the Cat at meeting with PM
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR LEWIS HAMILTON has risked the wrath of his beloved dog Roscoe... after he was seen petting Larry the Cat. Formula One superstar Hamilton is well known to be a socially conscious person, and leads his Mission 44 project to support young people in their education. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Lewis Hamilton risked the wrath of his dog, Roscoe, after he was seen petting Larry the Cat Credit: Lauren Hurley 5 Hamilton said his 'heart stops' when he gets a message about his beloved pet pooch Credit: Instagram @roscoelovescoco 5 12-year-old Roscoe is often seen alongside Hamilton Credit: Instagram @lewishamilton 5 Hamilton's visit to Downing Street came for a meeting on education reform Credit: Crown Copyright To that end, the 40-year-old was seen in attendance at Downing Street earlier this week for a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss education reform. During his visit, the seven-time F1 world champion took some time out from the meetings to introduce himself to Number 10's Chief Mouser, Larry. Larry has served in the role since 2011 after being adopted by then PM David Cameron. Born in 2007, the tabby is as old as Hamilton's F1 career when he started out with McLaren in the same year. READ MORE IN F1 MAX FUR-STAPPEN F1 stars' pets from driver with THIRTEEN cats to Insta dog and a REINDEER Taking to social media, the (un)official Larry the Cat account shared a photo of Hamilton petting the feline as he laid on his bed by a window. He captioned the post: "Thanks for the stroke. @LewisHamilton - love from the sleeping cat to the prancing horse x." It was a bit of a change of pace for Hamilton, who is usually seen alongside his French bulldog Roscoe. And one fan on social media was quick to point out: "If Roscoe ever sees this picture he will never forgive LH." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK However, Roscoe's most recent Instagram post showed him being given a tasty treat, showing Hamilton knows the way to the heart of man's best friend. Hamilton has not had the best interaction with cats in the past, revealing last year how he had black cats "thrown" at him. Lewis Hamilton's beloved dog Roscoe diagnosed with pneumonia as carer gives health update He also landed himself in trouble with animal rights activists in 2016 when he was seen playing with a tiger and jaguar during a visit to Mexico City's Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation. But most fans were loving the crossover of two British icons, with one saying: "Two legends in the same photo." A second said: "Oh what an honour! (For Lewis)." A third added: "Prime Minister Larry deigns to share some of his aura with Lewis. I respect that." Another joked: "Ahh I guess Lewis's demands to Sir Keir Starmer proved futile and Lewis went over Keir's head to the real power in Number 10." The Ferrari star admitted last month that he worries about his 12-year-old pooch following a recent battle he had with pneumonia. Hamilton said: "This is a time where every time I get a text message from the lady who looks after him, my heart stops for a second. "Because I'm thinking, 'What's next?' But he's fine now, fortunately. He is doing well. 'I never felt like my voice was heard' - Lewis Hamilton on education reform Hamilton's appearance at Downing Street was for more than just saying hello to Larry the Cat, but in fact was down to his goal of pushing for education reform in the UK. On his visit, Hamilton said: "I struggled in school and never felt like my voice was heard, that's why I know first-hand that ensuring every student feels they belong in school is vital. "I'm grateful that, off the back of this meeting, the government has committed to working with Mission 44 to enact change focused on making the education system more inclusive. "I'm so proud of how far Mission 44 has come in such a short space of time and the opportunity we have to transform the lives of vulnerable students across the country." In a previous interview with the Sunday Times, Hamilton revealed: "When I was in my 20s, I had some really difficult phases. "I've struggled with mental health throughout my life. [I've had] depression. "From a very early age, when I was, like, 13. "I think it was the pressure of the racing and struggling at school. "The bullying. I had no one to talk to.' "He's 12 and a half years old, so he's an old boy and it's unusual for them to live that long." The duo have practically been inseparable for a decade, and even appear together on the front cover of a recent edition of Vogue. When quizzed on Roscoe's next appearance, Hamilton said: "I really want to take him to Silverstone, and particularly Monza, this year. "I plan to put him in a red cape and outfit. I was with him before Miami and he still wants to play. "He's still got that youthful spirit. But he does like to sleep a lot." Roscoe's trainer, Kirstin McMillan, nursed the vegan canine back to full fitness after he fell ill in April, as he was treated with medication and specialist acupuncture treatment. Meanwhile, Hamilton has been struggling to extract the best out of his Ferrari machinery, and - outside of a Sprint Race win - is yet to score a podium with the Scuderia after joining them over the winter. The Brit appeared close to tears during an interview with Sky Sports F1 after he finished P6 at the Spanish Grand Prix. He later showed his class by apologising for snapping at reporter Rachel Brooks. Hamilton will have a chance at redemption at the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15. 5
