Britain's top health official has been targeted over his looks by cruel internet trolls, as he leads the nation's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Chris Witty, the UK's chief medical officer, has gone from relative obscurity to a cult following after fronting regular press briefings on COVID-19 - in much the same way New Zealand's Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has here.
Internet memes have circulated widely about Dr Witty's appearance, with some making unseemly comparisons between him and celebrities or cartoon characters.
The widespread ridicule comes just weeks after a #BeKind campaign calling for people to stop using their social media platforms to tear others down went viral in the UK following TV host Caroline Flack's death.
Many Brits have since jumped to Dr Witty's defence, with one viral Facebook post asking people to give him "the respect he deserves".
"This guy has dedicated his life to medicine and right now is probably the most important person we have in regards to tackling coronavirus," personal trainer Jon Jackson wrote.
"Appears on TV and media to give us advice on how to basically stay alive over the next few months… British public rips him apart for the way he looks.
"If you've posted some cruel status about the way he looks in the last few days you're pathetic - find a better use for your time right now."
Coronavirus has ravaged the UK in recent weeks. The country now has more than 29,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and 2352 deaths have been recorded from the disease there already.
Last week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a mandatory lockdown across Britain. He also revealed he had contracted coronavirus himself, and was self-isolating.
