Soul singer and West End star Beverley Knight spoke out against UKIP supporters who sent her racist abuse on Twitter after she criticised the political party.
It began when Knight tweeted this while watching the BBC documentary Meet the Ukippers:
Watching Meet The UKIPpers. The UKIP members in their own words.... And their choice of words is EVERYTHING..... Hmmmm😳
She criticised ex-UKIP councillor Rozanne Duncan, who made racist comments:
Even UKIP member Liz is rendered speechless by (now ex-UKIP) Rozanne Duncan's bile. Onscreen! What happens off camera? #MeetTheUkippers
Oh Rozanne.... You really are deluded aren't you? As well as thoroughly bigoted of course. Awful. #MeetTheUkippers
Duncan was filmed by the BBC saying she disliked "negroid features".
The next morning, Knight shared a screengrab of one of the tweets she'd received overnight:
The morning after the night before.. One of the "delightful" responses to my #MeetTheUkippers Rozanne Duncan tweet...
Soon after sharing the image, fans of Knight tweeted their support and admiration for the singer:
@ShobnaGulati oh my luv, it's like water off a duck back to me! The unimaginative response of the most stupid and vile who hide among us! Xx
@Beverleyknight as a black musical theatre performer you really are an inspiration for me to persevere and work hard to get somewhere
Knight later explained to her followers why she was sharing the abuse:
@boro74 oh I am fine! Just thought I'd share it as an example of some strange sections of society! Xxxxx
@slaveltd nah not at all! Just wanted to show the level of "humanity" that hide among us. Xxxxx
@Ellis01Steve yes, some folk are just light years behind in the stages of evolution! Xxxx
And that the trolls were cowards behind a keyboard:
@Spiceyben me, not so much sadly... Folk like this are so bold... Behind a keyboard of course! Xxxxxx
Knight highlighted the ignorant, racist phrases people often use about her:
@KeirCroftonBond it's a go-to phrase for racists toward all black folk. Regardless of heritage. I hear it more times than you would believe.
She reminded one fan that the majority of people were "not so dumb":
@michaelwatson22 hello my luv! Who knows when it will end? In the meantime I rest assured the majority of us are not so dumb. Xxxxxx
Knight graciously ended the Twitter conversation by thanking her supporters for their kindness:
I want to thank you decent-minded people which are the overwhelming majority here on Twitter. Thank you all for your kindness to me. Xxxxx
Knight is currently starring in the acclaimed West End musical Memphis, which is about racism in the US during the 1950s.
Go and watch Knight sing her heart out. <3