US news anchor's bully message goes viral online

A video message from a US news anchor responding to a viewer who described her as obese has gone viral online - racking up more than five million hits on YouTube.

The man had e-mailed Jennifer Livingstone to say he was "surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years".

He added: "Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain."

In a broadcast Ms Livingstone responded to the "cruel" e-mail saying: "The truth is I am overweight. You could call me fat, yes, even obese on a doctor's chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don't know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something I don't know.

"You don't know me, you are not a friend of mine, you are not a part of my family and you have admitted that you don't watch this show, so you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside and I am much more than a number on a scale."

She went on to urge young people who are struggling with weight, skin colour, sexuality or disability not to let their self-worth be defined by bullies.