Jeremy Vine opens up about the impact of Joey Barton’s online abuse

TV presenter Jeremy Vine has revealed the devastating effects of ex-footballer Joey Barton’s vile social media posts directed towards him. Barton’s relentless attacks on Vine led the broadcaster to take civil action out of fear for his safety.

Vine described how Barton’s posts caused him sleepless nights and made him feel physically unsafe. The former footballer’s accusations, including linking Vine to convicted paedophiles, left Vine feeling vulnerable and exposed.

During the court case, Vine expressed his concerns for his daughters’ safety as Barton’s online abuse escalated. The broadcaster shared how Barton’s posts, which included sharing Vine’s address online, pushed him to seek advice on security measures.

Joey Barton defended his actions, claiming that the online spat with Vine was akin to two boxers promoting a rivalry for entertainment purposes. However, Vine saw Barton’s behavior as crossing the line between free speech and criminal activity.

As the court case unfolded, Vine recounted the emotional toll Barton’s abuse took on him, with the broadcaster feeling devastated and alarmed by the ex-footballer’s relentless attacks. Despite Barton’s attempts to justify his actions as humor or promotion, Vine remained firm in his stance that the online abuse had grave consequences.