Cliff Notes – Katie Piper reveals she was verbally abused filming new TV show
- Katie Piper, who suffered life-long injuries from an acid attack in 2008, faced verbal abuse from prisoners while filming her new series, "Locked Up In Louisiana."
- Despite the abuse, Piper emphasised the importance of sharing her lived experience and raising awareness about facial disfigurements and the impact of crime.
Katie Piper reveals she was verbally abused filming new TV show
TV Presenter Katie Piper was attacked with acid back in 2008 (Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/PA Wire)
Katie Piper has revealed how she was verbally abused by prisoners as she filmed her new TV series.
The 41-year-old presenter and activist suffered life-long injuries after an acid attack back in 2008.
Since then the Loose Women star has tirelessly fought to raise awareness about facial disfigurements and tell her story.
However, during filming in a New Orleans women’s prison for her series Locked Up In Louisiana on U&W, she suffered vile abuse from prisoners.
Speaking to Radio Times, she said: ‘I go in with lived experience – as a woman, a mother, a daughter, a victim of crime. Some of my story is worn on my face.
‘That was an advantage and meant the women probably trusted me, but some of them shouted stuff like, “Hey lady, are you addicted to Botox?” or “Slow down on the plastic surgery.” They didn’t know what had happened to me.’
Katie recently shared on social media that she had a prosthetic eye shell fitted (Picture: Katie Piper/Instagram)
The activist revealed how prisoners were abusive towards her (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
She added: ‘We’re all one bad day away from being locked up. You don’t know what’s going to happen to you in life and who’s going to harm you – and how you’re going to react when somebody harms you.’
Towards the end of last year, Katie was showered in support from her co-stars on ITV’s Loose Women after a vile troll’s cruel comment over her appearance.
The presenter took to Instagram to share her response to a horrific comment that had been left on one of her posts.
It had begun with: ‘Where your nose?’, to which Katie had replied: ‘Being pulled into my face by thick scar tissue. It’s incredibly painful.’
The vicious troll then wrote: ‘Yes, It’s cool, but my nose is normal. I wish you had to stop suffering as soon as possible. I recommend that you go out the window, preferably on the 10th-11th floor, perhaps this will ease your suffering.’
Katie has fought tirelessly to raise awareness about facial disfigurements (Picture: ITV)
Screenshotting the disgusting comment, Katie wrote in a post: ‘This is not ok, and it will never be ok. If you can write something, anything, negative online and press ‘post’, you are a special type of person.
‘Publishing hate in to the world hurts everyone, including yourself. Don’t comment on my appearance, don’t threaten my life, get off the internet and stay quiet.’
The ITV star was supported by friends and fans alike, with Gemma Atkinson writing: ‘Life is like a bed of roses, we occasionally come across a prick. And that person is indeed an absolute prick. You Katie, are a rose.’
Laura Whitmore added: ‘Bloody hell I’m sorry you have to see this Katie. People are unwell and this is why social media needs to be monitored.’
Earlier this year, Katie also unveiled her new prosthetic eye after ‘years battling’ with her eye health.
Katie shared a video of the shell being inserted into her eye, writing in the caption: ‘This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.
The 41-year-old was filming in Louisiana for a new TV series (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Katie has shared abuse she has received in the past (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.
‘I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able [to] tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice…’
The presenter’s ex-boyfriend, martial arts expert Daniel Lynch, received a life sentence in 2009 with a minimum of 16 years for sexually assaulting Piper and for telling Stefan Sylvestre to throw acid on her.
Sylvestre received a life sentence for the attack in 2009, and was told he would have to serve a minimum of six years.
He was released on licence in 2018, but was recalled to prison in 2022 after breaching his licence conditions.
Katie later released a documentary titled Katie Piper: My Beautiful Face in 2009.
She also launched the Katie Piper Foundation, which helps other burns victims, for which she was awarded an OBE.
Locked Up In Louisiana will begin airing on U&W on April 27.