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Great British Bake Off’s first ever vegan baker Freya Cox has been targeted by cruel trolls over her love of horse-riding.
The psychology student, 19, was forced to delete a Facebook page called Freya Cox Eventing, which had documented her achievements in the sport, after she was slammed online by those claiming it is cruel to animals.
The dressage champion had said she was ‘passionate about ethics’ while posting online about her excitement to join the tent as the show’s first vegan baker – meaning she won’t use animal products.
‘You shouldn’t be calling yourself vegan’: Bake Off’s Freya Cox has been forced off social media by trolls who slam her love of ‘cruel’ horse riding
She penned: ‘The secret is finally out! I can’t believe I’m actually writing a post announcing I am going to be on the Great British Bake Off 2021 baking all vegan bakes.
‘I am so passionate about ethics and feel completely blessed to have the opportunity to share this with the world. To say I am the first completely vegan baker on GBBO feels like such an honour.
‘I will be posting loads of updates, bakes and behind the scenes pics over on my Instagram page if you’d like to follow me on there. Speak to you all soon…the future really is vegan.’
But the post was flooded with mean-spirited comments blasting the teenager for pictures she had posted online showing her riding a horse.
Sad: The psychology student, 19, was forced to delete a Facebook page called Freya Cox Eventing, which had documented her achievements in the sport
Unprecedented: She will be the show’s first vegan baker – meaning she won’t use animal products
Some vegans believe riding is cruel because the horses are not given a choice, and it can sometimes be uncomfortable for the animal.
In some cases, vegans view animal-based sports like horse riding and greyhound racing as ‘non-vegan’ because of their potential for causing pain and cruelty to those involved.
However, it is also widely acknowledged within the vegan community that being vegan can mean many different things for many people.
Controversial: Some vegans believe riding is cruel because the horses are not given a choice, and it can sometimes be uncomfortable for them
Busy bee: Freya explained her recipe to judges Paul Hollywood (centre-left) and Prue Leith (centre-right) and presenter Noel Fielding (right) while taking part in the challenge
But some more hardline vegans believe in a more extreme adherence to the beliefs.
One angry user blasted Freya saying: ‘The problem people like myself are having is that, yes it’s great that someone is going onto a mainstream programme promoting vegan food.
‘But please don’t say that you are passionate about ethics when you still ride horses.
‘I know she still rides as she replied to someone on her Instagram earlier today saying they should meet for a hack soon!
‘So just say that you’re plant-based and making slow changes to becoming fully vegan in future or something if that is what you’re doing.
Having a blast! Matt Lucas and Freya seemed to be having a whale of a time in the Great British Bake Off tent
Announcement: The dressage champion had said she was ‘passionate about ethics’ while posting online about her excitement to join the tent
‘Saying that you’re passionate about ethics and then riding horses is completely contradicting and confusing.’
A second jibed: ‘Yep, she’s not vegan. Just plant-based obviously.
They added in another post, ‘Removing a pic is just covering it up, not changing the action.
‘If you are still riding you shouldn’t be calling yourself vegan and you most definitely shouldn’t be going on TV calling yourself vegan.
‘It’s no wonder people get confused what veganism means when the ethos is constantly being watered down.’
Frustrated: The post was flooded with mean-spirited comments blasting the teenage girl for pictures she had posted online showing her riding a horse
Another questioned Freya on how well she looked after her beloved horse, Winnie, cruelly suggesting the young girl had been hurting the creature’s back.
They said: ‘I think a lot of us would like to know if you give Winnie the necessary exercise without you breaking her spine anymore or whether you continue to do so?’
Freya sweetly replied: ‘I can reassure you she’s absolutely spoiled rotten.’
But the user jibed back: ‘So that’s a yes then, how disappointing.’
Saving the day: As well as the vile hate comments, scores of other veggies and vegans rushed to congratulate the youngster on her incredible achievements – and to blast the trolls giving her a hard time
But as well as the vile hate comments, scores of other veggies and vegans rushed to congratulate the hopeful on her incredible achievements – and to blast the trolls giving her a hard time.
A supporter wrote : ‘Not even an hour and some of your superiority complex kicked in. Damn, just be happy. Wow, many congratulations and good luck to you.
‘Awareness’ is always the first step and you’ve managed to grab yourself the spotlight and I’m so pleased for you, well done!
‘I’m shocked at some of the comments on here, they’re shameful and unnecessary, can’t wait to watch you blow the others out the water.’
A final said: ‘Instead of seeing this as a great step to show non-vegan viewers what they can make and possibly help people eat more plant-based foods AND congratulating this girl, you find fault!
‘Oh to be the perfect vegan, we are all trying.’
GBBO’s season 12 will debut on September 21 on Channel 4 at 8PM.
It was filmed earlier this year with the contestants and crew placed in a COVID-safe filming bubble – the second time this has happened amid the pandemic.
A baker’s dozen! The line-up for The Great British Bake Off 2021 has been unveiled, ahead of the show’s season 12 debut on September 21 on Channel 4 at 8PM [L-R: New stars Elizabeth, George, Juergen, Crystelle, Jairzeno, Rochica, Giuseppe, Tom, Maggie, Chirag, Amanda and Freya]
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