Bobby Norris has received "homophobic messages" from trolls and been slapped by a stranger while shopping.
The 32-year-old reality TV star unveiled his beard transplant on social media earlier this year, and while he is incredibly "happy" with the results, he regularly receives "vile" and "spiteful" messages from body-shamers and claims he was once physically attacked outside Clinton Cards which "shook [him] up".
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: "I’ve been so lucky with all my interactions and I’m so grateful I have the relationship with viewers but this year I was waking up to vile, homophobic messages.
"Words I wouldn’t even want to say but absolutely disgusting and it got to a point where the trolling was overwhelming. People were saying I had signed up to this life. I signed up to a TV show, I didn’t sign up to be sent abuse or vile things.
"It turned this year, it’s very homophobic, spiteful, I got slapped in a shopping centre, it really shook me up. I’m very spatially aware and because I suffer with anxiety if I’m in a club or a bar I want to know where my exit is if I need to get out of something."
The ‘Only Way Is Essex’ star also explained he regularly receives abuse on the street, and recalled the "truly terrible" shopping centre attack, which occurred while he was out with his mother, Kym.
He added: "I was so deep in conversation with my mum but to be walking through a shopping centre and someone just slap me outside Clintons Cards. It was truly terrible."
Bobby has been likened to the Human Ken Doll – whose real name is Justin Jedlica, who is famous for undergoing over 300 cosmetic procedures – but he refuses to judge others.
He said: "I was called the Human Ken Doll but I’m so happy with how my beard is coming on. It will take the full 12 months to fully grow.
"But the sad thing is how confident I’ve grown in having the procedure done seems to then have people kicking it back in my face.
"I wouldn’t judge anyone, if you want to go and dye your hair pink? Do it! If you want to cut a fringe? Do it!"
Bobby Norris receives ‘overwhelming trolling’
