IPSWICH-based former Olympian Karen Pickering has leapt to the defence of swimming star Rebecca Adlington after she was subjected to more hurtful comments by comedian Frankie Boyle.

The Scottish comedian was replaced as a regular panelist on BBC’s Mock the Week after he came under fire for earlier comments about the double gold medallist in the Beijing Games.

But he made more unpleasant comments about her this week – prompting Pickering to slap him down on Twitter.

She wrote: “Frankie Boyle you need to reel it in! Not funny just nasty.”

Her comment was repeated and retweeted by other Olympians expressing their support for Adlington who won a bronze for Britain in the 400m freestyle last night.