SHAYNE Ward has hit back after cruel Strictly fans branded him “too cocky” following his show debut.
The singer and actor, 40, came under fire from Strictly Come Dancing viewers following his first dance with Nancy Xu.
Many rushed to social media to complain that former X Factor winner Shayne was “cocky” and “overconfident”.
Now Shayne has had his say on the comments during a new interview with Nancy, 33.
He said: “I think when it comes to social media and negative comments, I’m only human, and it can get to me. It can also upset my mum and Sophie when it’s a personal attack.
“But then I look at how many beautiful comments I get, and they far outweigh the negative ones.
“I do think social media needs to be monitored a little bit more to protect people. People just need to be kinder.”
And, speaking to OK! Magazine, Nancy jumped to Shayne’s defence, adding: “We’re always nervous, trust me.
“The only moment you don’t feel nervous is in the rehearsal room and that’s because it’s the only place you can make a mistake.”
Shayne shares two children with his former Hollyoaks star fiancee Sophie Austin.
And the ex-Coronation Street star revealed the real reason he and Sophie still haven’t tied the knot – despite getting engaged in 2017.
He said: “As time has gone on, we’ve realised just how much more special it’s going to be to have our children at our wedding.
“We’re excited to see Willow-May and Reign play a huge part in it. Willow-May gets so excited about it and tells us, ‘OK, Mummy and Daddy, next year is your wedding’.”