Sam Smith says they have ‘nothing but love’ amid coronavirus lockdown backlash

Smith was unfavourably compared to the 99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore, who has raised £15m for the NHS

Sam Smith has assured fans they have “nothing but love” amid a social media backlash that saw them unfavourably compared to a 99-year-old war veteran.

The pop star became a trending topic on Twitter yesterday (16 April) after sharing that they were feeling “shattered” and “a bit down” amid coronavirus lockdown.

Smith’s statements prompted a backlash, with Twitter users comparing them unfavourably to war veteran Captain Tom Moore. Moore has become a social media sensation after raising more than £15m for the NHS after successfully completing 100 laps around his garden.

On their Instagram, Smith appeared to reference their indifference to the backlash, writing: “Sending nothing but love to everyone out there today.”

Smith previously earnt support from fans as a result of the Moore comparisons, with many invoking the “#BeKind” hashtag that proved momentarily popular in the wake of Caroline Flack’s death in January.

“People on Twitter using Capt Tom Moore’s remarkable achievement to have a go at … Sam Smith,” one Twitter user wrote. “How quickly everyone forgets about Caroline Flack. If you don’t like someone, keep it to yourself.”

Another added: “The veteran raising £££ for the NHS is amazing & rightly being applauded. Using his achievement to troll Sam Smith & mock their suffering is disgraceful. Rich, successful ppl experience the whole spectrum of MH issues too … Remember #bekind?”

Backlash to Smith was stoked by Piers Morgan in March, who criticised a series of photographs posted by Smith in which they are seen holding their head in their hands alongside a caption that read: “Stages of a quarantine meltdown.”

“FFS,” Morgan wrote on Twitter. “I can’t take any more of this celebrity attention-seeking bulls**t. Get a grip, the lot of you.”