Katie Piper, who survived an acid attack in 2008, has spoken out against 'gory' Halloween costumes as they could be seen as offensive to people who look different.
The mum was addressing the issue ahead of special Strictly Halloween episode, which is coming up in just a couple of weeks, where celebrity contestants and professional dancers will get dressed up for the 'scary' night.
She told The Sun: 'I’m fine with dressing up as a cat or a wizard. But the trend towards fake scars, blood and gore seems like a backward step. I’d like to teach our kids that it’s normal to be scarred, disfigured or disabled.
'It’s a taboo that I hope will be defeated within my lifetime. I would like my daughters and their friends to think it’s absolutely unacceptable to insult, criticise or pick on someone because they look in any way different.'
It's not the first time the mum-of-two has spoken about the Halloween tradition. Back in 2016, she branded it 'distasteful' and asked people to be more considerate of others who may be offended by some of the 'gory' costumes.
Halloween costume ideas for the whole family
She wrote on Instagram at the time: ‘It’s not even Halloween and I’ve had over 20 photos on my feed of make-up artists posting Halloween gore-overs.
‘It’s distasteful and offensive to make temporary burns, scars and disfigurements on someone’s face for Halloween. Some of us have these differences all year round. When did Halloween turn into people imitating accident victims?’
She added: 'I enjoy Halloween just as much as the next person but please don’t dress up as someone that has had trauma happen to them.
‘Even if you don’t care about other people’s feelings how about remembering non of us are immune and it could be you one day with those injuries no Halloween make up needed.
‘Pumpkins, witches, cats, bats whatever but not someone who has been seriously injured please.’
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