Jake Quickenden admits he ‘can’t get my head around’ trolls who send messages about his son Leo

Jake Quickenden has admitted he ‘can’t get his head around’ people who troll his young son Leo and thinks they must be ‘hurting’.

The reality star, 32, has been open about the vile social media messages three-month-old Leo has endured at the hands of cruel trolls.

Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of Loose Women, Jake, who shares his son with girlfriend Sophie Church, took the high road and said he hopes those who troll learn it’s ‘not right’.

Candid: Jake Quickenden has admitted he ‘can’t get his head around’ people who troll his young son Leo and thinks they must be ‘hurting’

He said: ‘It was a bit strange, I’ve done TV long enough to know I’m going to get someone saying my teeth are too big. 

‘It’s weird that we have to accept that. But then when it happened to Leo and people said a few nasty things I couldn’t get my head around it.

‘The more I thought, I thought we’ve all gone through a tough couple of years and I thought these people must be really hurting and it’s a shame that people deal with things in different ways. They’re amplifying their hate to someone else.

‘I understand it in a way, although it’s not right. I hope they see it soon and have someone to talk to about it.’

Hurtful: The reality star, 32, has been open about the vile social media messages three-month-old Leo has endured at the hands of cruel trolls

Hurtful: The reality star, 32, has been open about the vile social media messages three-month-old Leo has endured at the hands of cruel trolls

Jake has endured a challenging time on social media following Leo’s birth in February, after vicious trolls claimed the newborn ‘needs Botox’ and that he’s ‘weird looking’.

Speaking to The Sun earlier this month, Jake said: ‘Obviously the emotions I felt when he was trolled was anger and like surprise.

‘I understand if someone doesn’t like me, I can be a bit annoying so I get that. But to troll a baby to try and get a reaction out of me, is a little bit low.

‘But you have to think, these people might need the random act of kindness. These people are probably the ones that need it.’

Interview: Speaking on Tuesday's Loose Women, Jake, who shares his son with girlfriend Sophie Church, took the high road and said he hopes those who troll learn it's 'not right'

Interview: Speaking on Tuesday’s Loose Women, Jake, who shares his son with girlfriend Sophie Church, took the high road and said he hopes those who troll learn it’s ‘not right’

Elsewhere during his appearance on the ITV daytime show, Jake spoke about what becoming a dad felt like.

He said: ‘It’s filled a void. It’s hard work. Anyone who has had a baby knows it’s hard. But I look forward to waking up and seeing his smiling face looking at me.

‘Nobody was quick to warn me about the sleepless nights and babies. They said it was brilliant. Which it was, but it’s hard.

‘I’ve got so much respect for other parents, especially people who do it by themselves. It’s the most rewarding and heart-filling thing.’

He said: 'It's weird that we have to accept that. But then when it happened to Leo and people said a few nasty things I couldn't get my head around it'

He said: ‘It’s weird that we have to accept that. But then when it happened to Leo and people said a few nasty things I couldn’t get my head around it’

Jake was already a ‘step-dad’ to his girlfriend’s son Freddie and praised her as an ‘amazing mum’.

He said: ‘Freddie’s my little best mate. I never tried to come in and be his step-dad, if you will. He’s got an amazing dad and amazing mum in Sophie.

‘He’s been raised in such an incredible way, I just thought how can I be another positive role model in his life.

‘If anyone ever asks or if he does, I say you’re my best little mate and I’ll always be here if you ever need anyone else to turn to.

He added: ‘If Leo turns out anything like Freddie I’ll be really, really happy.’ 

Family: On becoming a dad, Jake said: 'But I look forward to waking up and seeing his smiling face looking at me'

Family: On becoming a dad, Jake said: ‘But I look forward to waking up and seeing his smiling face looking at me’

Jake also spoke about not being able to introduce Leo to his late father Paul and his late brother Oliver.

Paul died in 2008 following a battle with non-familial bone cancer while Oliver was tragically diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2010 when he was 16 and passed away two years later. 

Jake said: ‘I have a cry every so often, I’m not one to shy away from that. This generation I think were encouraged to open up. 

‘Now it’s coming up to Father’s Day, I wish my dad was around to see who I’ve become. He never even got to see me on TV.

Proud parents: Jake was already a 'step-dad' to his girlfriend's son Freddie and praised her as an 'amazing mum'

Proud parents: Jake was already a ‘step-dad’ to his girlfriend’s son Freddie and praised her as an ‘amazing mum’

‘Which is unbelievable as I’ve done as many shows as I possibly can. It’s a shame, some days I have little down days. We all go through loss in life. It’s how it shapes you.

‘I used to be selfish, self sabotage and not really think about anyone but myself. But now I’ve got little man. I want to be the best person I can be.’

Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV.  

Heartbreaking: Jake also spoke about not being able to introduce Leo to his late father Paul and his late brother Oliver who both tragically died of bone cancer in 2008 and 2012

Heartbreaking: Jake also spoke about not being able to introduce Leo to his late father Paul and his late brother Oliver who both tragically died of bone cancer in 2008 and 2012

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