Stacey Dooley’s BBC documentary Growing Up Gypsy has become an internet sensation as she follows the life of Romany women to get an insight into their daily struggles

Stacey Dooley’s Growing Up Gypsy documentary causes a major stir on social media(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Little Venice Studios)

Stacey Dooley’s latest documentary Growing Up Gypsy appears to have caused a major discussion on social media platforms as it has now gone viral. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 38, who is a mother of one, gives viewers an insight into the life of Romany women as they navigate their way through life amid the negative perception of their community.

The BBC Three documentary has become a major subject of discussion among social media followers. Taking to Instagram, one person wrote: “Absolutely loved this doc ! Learnt a lot – Love the way Stacey greets so many contributors with ‘you look lovely ‘-‘- wonderful presenter.”

Meanwhile another person commented: “I just wish they would pay their bills like the rest of us , and leave the violence out !” A third said:” I think if it what someone genuinely wants to do then fine. I was brought up with both my parents as hard grafters and a mum who was very independent .”

Stacey Dooley’s Growing Up Gypsy documentary causes a major stir on social media(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Little Venice Studios)

They added: “I learned to cook clean etc at 10 because of my parents shift work and looked after my brother constantly until I moved out at a young age because I felt independent.

The follower went on to say: “I was never told I had to get married or have kids etc but I knew I was expected to work and pay my own way. I defo don’t think it’s a women’s job if your working my husband and I share all duties and both are for our family .”

One of the women followed by Stacey, who has been praised for her genuine and heartfelt portrayal of the traveller community, is a woman called Chantelle.

The 23 year old from Bedfordshire said that although she is proud of her heritage she still has moments of being nervous to reveal her background, over fears of a backlash.

Explaining her fears to Stacey, Chantelle said: “When you watch films, it’s always like, ‘Oh, these are the Gypsies, they’re the bad guys.”

Stacey’s latest documentary is trending on social media (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Little Venice Studios)

Another lady named Ebony from Nottinghamshire recalled a moment when she worked as a beautician and was told by a client that she refused to park in a particular area because there were Gypsies in the vicinity. She remembered: “And I was sat there, painting her nails, like: ‘Little do you know’”

Speaking about hiding her background, Ebony went on to say: “Now 26, I’m incredibly proud of my heritage – it’s often one of the first things I’ll share about myself and I have incredible memories of summers spent in the cherry orchard where my family worked.”

She added: “However, I didn’t always feel that way. At school, I was reluctant to tell people about my identity for fear of being called a derogatory name and when I applied for university, my parents told me not to tick the GRT ethnicity box on the entrance form in case it hurt my chances of getting in.”

Ebony continued: “I filled it in anyway, and have grown more confident in talking about my heritage but the hesitation is still there and is shared by many in the community today.There is a lot of hate and discrimination against travellers, and people don’t get jobs because they’re travellers.”