Sunrise host Natalie Barr says intense online trolling has left her in tears

Natalie Barr says she’s received vile and often sexually violent online threats sincetaking over as Sunrise co-host in March this year.

Natalie Barr has revealed the intense social media backlash after she took over Sunrise co-host from Samantha Armytage has left her ‘in tears’.

Speaking during a panel at the Women of the Future Awards on Wednesday, Barr said she’s resorted to blocking hundreds of profiles in a bid to escape it.

The TV personality also said she’s “felt like hiding in a corner” over the trolling she’s faced since stepping up to the role Armytage left in March.

“The comments are [like] the gutter … you kind of want to have a look, but it’s really, really dangerous,” she said of the online attacks.

While she explained that her male co-stars also face cruel threats online, Barr said the nature of the trolling aimed at women often involves horrific threats of sexual violence.

Barr spoke as part of the Women of the Future Awards on Wednesday. Picture: Matrix.

“I’ve got screenshots of people saying ‘die b**ch, die’ all the usual stuff,” she said of the vile comments.

“I’ve had pictures sent to me that say ‘this b**ch needs to die, how are we going to do it?’”

Barr previously told TV Week she’s developed a thick skin since joining the Sunrise panel.

“I get hate mail, I get death threats,” she said.

“I’ve worked in newsrooms for over 30 years. I defy you to offend me.”

“I’ve turned off all these notifications on my Twitter feed. I can block people in my DMs [direct messages]. Or I report them, as everyone does that in the modern world.”

The former newsreader has opened up about trolling in the past. Picture: Toby Zerna

Shortly after starting in the role, the former newsreader told TV Blackbox her first week was “a bit nightmarish”, explaining that she didn’t love being in the spotlight.

“I love covering the news, I love going out to these stories. But the attention on me is not my natural habitat.

“The first day was probably a bit nightmarish for me because everyone kept asking ‘How are you, how are you going, what’s it like, first day …’.

“I just wanted to go back to the new normal, where we’ll actually be covering the news, and the events and the great interviews that we do – not me!”

The star also revealed how she received the life-changing news about the promotion.

“When the big boss called and asked, it was still nerve-racking and I did have to think – this is a lot more attention, a lot more pressure.

“I got a phone call from a big boss at Seven, and he said, ‘How about it?’

“I said well … uh! OK! I wasn’t very eloquent, and it wasn’t my finest moment I guess!”

Barr took over from Armytage earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images.

The call came after Armytage announced her resignation in early March.

“The time has come for the sun to set on my time at Sunrise. I have always been brave and fearless in my career and this decision is no different,” she said.

Following her wedding to Richard Lavender, Sam revealed that she wanted to step away from the spotlight after a “bittersweet” year.

Originally published as Sunrise host Natalie Barr says intense online trolling has left her in tears