The Irish Mail on Sunday

Disgust at vile online abuse of Victoria and her brave daughter

Trolls mock family’s appearance on Late Late

- By Niamh Walsh SHOWBUSINE­SS EDITOR niamh.walsh@mailonsund­ay.ie

ACTRESS Victoria Smurfit was subjected to online abuse for supportive­ly touching her daughter’s back as the teenager spoke about her degenerati­ve eye disease on the Late Late Show.

Victoria appeared on the RTÉ show with her daughter Evie on Friday – with Evie explaining about a degenerati­ve eye condition with a high risk that she could go blind.

In March of last year, the 14year-old was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy, an eye condition which eventually leads to blindness.

The Once Upon A Time star, who now lives in LA with her family, flew home this week with Evie to raise awareness of the issue and discuss the impact the diagnosis has had on the family. They also want to highlight their work with Fighting Blindness Ireland to raise awareness of sight loss conditions.

But, some viewers appeared more transfixed on the fact that Victoria kept rubbing her daughter’s back during the interview. ‘What’s Victoria doing to her daughter’s back? She’s not Helen Keller! The daughter is well able and very strong. #latelate #latelatesh­ow,’ tweeted Derek Brosnan.

‘What is Victoria rubbing her daughters back for?? It’s so cringy #latelate,’ said Colette McCreesh’

‘Ahh here... your wan constantly stroking her during this interview is giving me the heebie jeebies #latelate,’ James Fleming commented.

The extraordin­ary attacks left Ms Smurfit and her ex-husband, Doug Baxter, who is Evie’s father, astounded at theircruel­ty and insensitiv­ity.

On Twitter yesterday Victoria fought back and said that she was simply displaying motherly affection and reassuring her daughter.

‘Wow. So apparently I freaked out people by rubbing Evie’s back. She was for the first time going on live tv to talk about the most horrifying thing that has happened in her young life. I am her mum. I literally had her back. I needed her to know I was there for her. Simple,’ she said.

Evie’s media entreprene­ur father Doug, who has remained best friends with Victoria since the split, also took to the social media platform to show his unwavering support.

He wrote: ‘You are a great mother and responded with your natural instinct to care and protect. Well done to you both. You did our family proud. Don’t pay any attention to it…’

Friend and fellow actress Amy Huberman, who starred with Victoria on RTÉ’s The Clinic, also registered her support on Twitter when she posted a message of support: ‘You and Evie were amazing Vic. She spoke so bravely and you were right there beside her, her brilliant supportive mum xx.’

‘What’s Victoria doing to her daughter’s back? She’s not Helen Keller!’

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 ??  ?? support: Irish Actress Victoria Smurfit, who currently lives in Los Angeles
support: Irish Actress Victoria Smurfit, who currently lives in Los Angeles
 ??  ?? campaignin­g: Evie Baxter with mother Victoria Smurfit on the Late Late sofa
campaignin­g: Evie Baxter with mother Victoria Smurfit on the Late Late sofa

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