'Trolls said they were going to throw acid in my face' - Alex Scott opens up on horrors of abuse following hugely successful step into football broadcasting

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Scott revealed previously unknown details about her home and personal life, and how she manages her hectic career in broadcasting. In one line of questioning, the former Arsenal right-back opened up on the downsides to her fame, which included vile threats and racist remarks.

After retiring from professional football in 2017, Scott immediately looked to busy herself in other ways. Wanting to stay in the world of football, she took on jobs in punditry, featuring prominently in BBC's coverage of the FA Cup, Football Focus and Match Of The Day. However, her rise to prominent fame has not been smooth. With a meteoric rise through the British TV world, she picked up a few haters and nay-sayers along the way, some of whom have resorted to nasty statements and even direct threats.

Scott said, "There are negatives to fame. I’ve had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats. When I was reported incorrectly to be replacing national treasure Sue Barker as the host of A Question of Sport, people were saying, 'She’s only on TV because she’s black, female and younger. She’s just ticking boxes'.

"I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face, but luckily there are other people who keep me smiling. They’ll come up to me in my local shop and say, 'Keep going', and that’s what I do."

Scott is currently in the conversation to take over from long-standing Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker when his contract expires with the BBC at the end of the season. In the discussion alongside other big names such as Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, Scott would be a more than suitable replacement, as she already holds a good rapport with many of the other MOTD pundits.