Disabled Gogglebox star Simon Minty, 55, targeted by 12-year-olds while out shopping
GOGGLEBOX star Simon Minty has revealed he was targeted by strangers while he was out shopping.
The 55-year-old, who has dwarfism, has appeared on the Channel 4 show since 2021 alongside his sister Jane.
Simon has become a huge fan favourite after appearing on our screens every Friday – and being in the spotlight comes with a lot of positives.
However it also has negatives.
The reality star took to Twitter to share his scary ordeal.
Simon tweeted: “Today, some 12yo boys came up to me to point and laugh. I said ‘grow up’.
“I carried on shopping, which took some courage as they followed me.
“Nearly spoke with shop security, it was that horrible. Left for the safety of Waitrose, bumped in to a special friend and rallied.”
He added: “There was some peer pressure going on too. I was going to tell them ‘one or more of you isn’t comfortable with what you’re doing right now, stand up for what you believe and you will have a better life than the others’.”
Fans rushed to the comments section to share the love.
One said: “Gosh that sounds dreadful, I hope that you are safe now, I hate people most of the time especially when I read something like this. Sending love xx.”
A second added: “sorry you had to deal with that ! xx.”
“Jeez can imagine how unsettling that was for you.Respect that you carried on shopping And then, bumping into a friend. Fortuitous.I feel the universe stepped in there.You needed some kindness & the special friend was there for you.Caring thoughts x.”
When the star isn’t filming for Gogglebox, he’s a disability consultancy and trainer for his own company Sminty Ltd.
Back in December last year Simon was spotted looking unrecognisable after posing with stubble and new “Christmas hair”.
He revealed that he had dyed his signature spiky locks bright blonde, and grown out a stubble beard to match.
Pouting for the camera, Simon donned his glasses and kept it casual in a grey jumper and grey jacket for the snap.
“Caught myself in the lift mirror,” Simon captioned the post. “Not long finished at the gym, glasses slightly dark, Christmas hair and stubble as it’s been a non-work week.
“For a moment, I felt like I looked like a rock star. Involuntary I then pouted #caughtoncamera #loveyourselffirst.”