Countdown host Rachel Riley took to Twitter last night to let out a sigh of relief after an exit poll for the BBC, ITV and Sky News predicted the Conservative party to win an overall majority of 86. The Countdown favourite appeared to be celebrating the exit poll results as she tweeted “Love you Britain”. However, after facing a huge wave of backlash, the TV star was forced to defend herself on social media.
In response to her Twitter haters, the presenter said she “won’t apologise” for expressing her relief at the predicted defeat.
Moreover, she revealed that she voted for Liberal Democrat candidate Chaka Umunna, who previously quit the labour party over anti-Semisim.
Rachel tweeted: “The inevitable abuse floods in.
“It’s nothing compared to the relief of a minority community who’ve been living in fear of what might be. I won’t apologise for that relief.
READ MORE: Rachel Riley: Countdown host admits to losing sleep over Jeremy Corbyn
“I voted @ChukaUmunna, former Labour, who quit over antisemitism. I hope he wins. For now, we can breathe.”
The tweet was met with floods of support.
One user replied: “Fantastic news. I wonder how long it’ll take them in@UKLabourto realize they shot themselves in both feet and then the head (this is a metaphor – there is no gun) by going with @jeremycorbyn and the rest of the current leadership including the NEC.”
“The age of Corbynism is coming to an end.” added a second.
The real message on his placard read: “Defend the right to protest against apartheid. Join this picket,” but this was changed on Rachel’s top.
She shared a photo of herself wearing the number on her Twitter account, @RachelRileyRR, to her 656,600 followers.
“I didn’t feel comfortable knowing my workplace was to be full of racists tonight,” she captioned it.
“I don’t endorse Boris, but I do endorse #NeverCorbyn. Please see my pinned thread if you still don’t understand why. #LeadersDebate #LabourAntisemitism.”
Following posting a picture, Rachel has faced an onslaught of backlash, with some Twitter users calling her to be sacked from Countdown.
One person wrote: “Channel 4 I am disgusted that you have an employee of yours – Rachel Riley – stamping all over the history of protest for black rights in this country. She skewed an image of Jeremy Corbyn protesting for an end to apartheid and replaced it with her own message that he’s racist.”
Another said: “Yep @Channel4 definitely needs to sack Rachel Riley #sackRachelRiley #sackRachelRiley #sackRachelRiley.”
A third wrote: “Disgraceful from Rachel Riley, she should be sacked with immediate effect!! Should be held accountable for her slander.”
