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Trisha Goddard’s children trained by Special Branch how to open parcels in case they were bombs

Trisha Goddard’s kids had to be trained how to open parcels in case they contained bombs.

The 62-year-old TV presenter’s two children, Billie, 30, and Madison, 27, were taught how to open packages by Special Branch – which deals with national security – and they also had a safe house in Norwich during the height of Trisha’s fame.

She explained: "We had a Special Branch come to our house and teach our kids how to open parcels in case there was a bomb in it.

"We also had safe places, I used to tell them where they could go in Norwich.

"That was because of my colour and not because of anything I had said."

The former ‘Trisha’ presenter also recalled once when an armed unit rocked up unannounced at her house to check she was OK, and she later found out the "scary" reason why they had turned up.

Speaking on DJ Fat Tony’s podcast ‘The Recovery’, she added: "I was watching television with my then-husband and there was all this commotion in the drive, headlights, cops with flak jackets and armed units around the house banging on the door asking if I was all right.

"I had to say, ‘Yes I am all right.’ And then you are told why it happened and that is even scarier as you were just watching telly."

Trisha recently confronted comedian Leigh Francis about his portrayal of her in ‘Bo’ Selecta’, but following his apology she has been hit with "even more abuse" by online trolls.

Speaking earlier this week, she said: "Since Leigh made that apology I have been subjected to even more abuse.

"[People saying] You’ve ruined his career just because you can’t take a joke, and there have been threats."

The ‘Celebrity Juice’ host also apologised directly to her daughter Billie, 30, and he was "horrified" to hear the traumatic outcome of his portrayal.

Trisha added: "Leigh sweetly talked to my daughter Billie for a very long time about his experience, he was horrified what she went through, he said as a father he feels so bad about this." Earlier this month, Leigh took to Instagram to share a video of himself saying sorry for his portrayals of celebrities such as Trisha and Craig David on the programme.

He said in the clip: "Back in 2002, I did a show called ‘Bo’ Selecta’. I portrayed many black people. Back then I didn’t think anything about it, people didn’t say anything, I’m not going to blame other people.

"I’ve been talking to some people, I didn’t realise how offensive it was back then.

"I just want to apologise, I just want to say sorry for any upset I caused, whether I was Michael Jackson, Craig David, Trisha Goddard, all people I’m a big fan of. I guess we’re all on a learning journey."