BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine wrote an emotional letter to the victim of a viral assault video revealing his own experiences with bullies.
The radio and TV presenter took to social media to write a note to the 15-year-old victim – he refers to as Ben – inviting him to the BBC Radio 2 studios.
The video showing a boy violently punched to the ground and kicked by a group of boys in a wood sent shockwaves through the internet this week.
Mr Vine said he was “shocked” by what he saw.
He goes on to tell a story about a time he got beaten up by the boyfriend of a girl he had spoken to at a party.
“Having moved my head within range he punched me as hard as you got punched. I had never been hit before. The shock was unbelievable ― violence does that. I went down immediately just like you,” he writes.
“That guy who distracted me in 1980 could be the thug who hit you from behind in 2016 ― such a coward.
“You feel humiliated. Your pride is hurt, your head is hurt ― I had a gigantic black eye. A person can get very down over a beating.
“It took me ages before I wasn’t scared of being hit again. You look over your shoulder for a while, and you feel a primal fear. That is natural, Ben,” he continues.
Mr Vine adds when the victim – referred to as Ben – finds a person he loves and a career he cares about, his attackers “will be doing odd jobs for twenty quid” and “listening to s*** music”.
He concludes: “Meanwhile, you and I can read poetry and listen to our favourite bands, and if we sometimes cry, there is no shame in that. To cry is to live.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here