Katie Redford is said to be "distraught" following her sacking by Coronation Street bosses for lying about her age, as Twitter trolls have abused her since the news came out.
The 'Coronation Street' set
The 25-year-old was cast as 14-year-old Bethany Platt in the ITV soap, but it was revealed she lied about her age to get the part, telling producers she was just 19.
Her agent, Jo McLintock has spoken out following the controversy and said to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "She has had horrific texts, emails and phone calls.
"It has backfired horrifically now. It has put us in an awkward situation with ITV, who were totally unaware of it.
"Unfortunately they wrote in their press release that she was 19 and we let it go out, thinking it would pass. Obviously it didn't.
"It wasn't Katie's decision to do that, it was us. When she went to Corrie, she went in based on her CV. Her playing age is 16-20.
"We said, 'If they ask you your age, just let them believe you are 19'. It is common knowledge - people do that all the time.
"Now she is distraught, really upset. There are some very jealous people out there.
"People are saying nasty things. We have told her to ignore them all."
The role is now being recast following the decision to sack Katie.
At the time, Katie was thrilled to receive the role and said: "Until I'm actually on set, I genuinely don't think it will sink in that I'm joining the cast of 'Coronation Street'.
"I know it sounds clichéd but it really feels like a dream come true.
"Bethany Platt is going to be such a fun and witty character to play and I hope everyone enjoys her return as much as I'm going to!"
Tagged in Coronation Street