Darran
Roger Freestone
I’ve thought long and hard about whether to post this, but I think I owe it to my amazing Wynners and supporters to speak up.
Recently, a Daily Mail journalist — who shall remain nameless, because I wouldn’t wish the kind of pressure I’ve been under on anyone — changed the tone, context and meaning of a video involving me, and ever since it's felt like I’ve been caught up in a narrative that’s been shaped to suit a particular agenda — not the truth.
She later posted a handwritten letter to my home, asking to “set the record straight” — which felt like an admission on her part that the original story wasn't true to begin with. I chose not to engage, hoping things would settle. But they haven’t.
I regularly perform for charity - donating my fee to the good causes, and today I did one of these shows for a wonderful Welsh charity, Women In Wales, that supports children’s charities and projects in Wales. The journalist in question has written to the charity and in today’s newspaper suggesting I shouldn't be performing for them, sensationalising my support for the charity into Daily Mail click bait.
I’ve spoken in the past about my mental health. I’m in a stronger place than I have been, but I’d be lying if I said this hasn’t affected me hugely. We’ve all seen the impact that relentless pressure and public misrepresentation can have on a person’s wellbeing — no matter how strong they might appear. So I’m asking The Daily Mail to please stop spreading these misleading stories. The constant harassment and bullying must stop.
There's a lot more to say, but for now I'm going to sign off with positivity. Here's a link to the amazing Women In Wales I performed for earlier - where you can read about the wonderful work they do https://womeninwales.org.uk/
Recently, a Daily Mail journalist — who shall remain nameless, because I wouldn’t wish the kind of pressure I’ve been under on anyone — changed the tone, context and meaning of a video involving me, and ever since it's felt like I’ve been caught up in a narrative that’s been shaped to suit a particular agenda — not the truth.
She later posted a handwritten letter to my home, asking to “set the record straight” — which felt like an admission on her part that the original story wasn't true to begin with. I chose not to engage, hoping things would settle. But they haven’t.
I regularly perform for charity - donating my fee to the good causes, and today I did one of these shows for a wonderful Welsh charity, Women In Wales, that supports children’s charities and projects in Wales. The journalist in question has written to the charity and in today’s newspaper suggesting I shouldn't be performing for them, sensationalising my support for the charity into Daily Mail click bait.
I’ve spoken in the past about my mental health. I’m in a stronger place than I have been, but I’d be lying if I said this hasn’t affected me hugely. We’ve all seen the impact that relentless pressure and public misrepresentation can have on a person’s wellbeing — no matter how strong they might appear. So I’m asking The Daily Mail to please stop spreading these misleading stories. The constant harassment and bullying must stop.
There's a lot more to say, but for now I'm going to sign off with positivity. Here's a link to the amazing Women In Wales I performed for earlier - where you can read about the wonderful work they do https://womeninwales.org.uk/