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Hull woman Ria Cooper appeared on This Morning to talk about how she's changing gender for a third time.

Ria spoke about the criticism and depression which made her want to live as a gay man before her decision to now re-transition and live as a woman again.

But online critics spoke out about Ria for a different reason following her appearance on the show.

Despite her bravery in speaking about her ordeal, dozens took to social media to say she appeared to be chewing gum on live TV.

One Twitter user wrote: "#ThisMorning re the lady who has had a sex change talking to Ruth - could you ask her to spit her chewing gum out. Disgusting."

Another added: " I can't watch this interview because of her chewing on her gum".

A third wrote: "Why you chewing gum on a live TV interview??? Awful #ThisMorning".

Ria spoke to Eamonn and Ruth about the reason she has changed gender three times.

Ria, 23, was born Brad but decided to undergo treatment to become a woman as a teenager.

But she struggled with her new identity and age 18 decided to transition back so she could live her life as a gay man.

But Ria says she has always been certain of who she is and has decided to live as a woman again.

She said: "I just knew I wanted to be a girl since I was about five.

"It's not a decision, I just knew I wanted to be female. I used to say people's opinions used to not affect me but they really did.

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"When I was 18 I was really depressed and struggling to find work."

Around the same time, Ria appeared in a documentary where she was revealed as a lady boy called Lola.

Ria added she couldn't find a job and "just had enough" so decided to try living as a gay man.

She added: "It was horrible, it was the worst decision I've ever made.

"I put boys clothes on and I was like I can't do it.

(Image: John Gladwin)

"I thought 'would it be better if I went back to being a boy?' But I couldn't do it."

Eamonn asked Ria about the criticism she has faced for transitioning several times - mainly around people saying she's using NHS resources.

She said: "The NHS haven't funded anything, I was given the money by someone else to get my boobs done and other surgery."

She added she believes being transgender is more known and accepted than when she came out as a teenager but believes it will always be criticised.

She said: "You will always get negative people there are people who are still horrible to me now."