One of Britain’s only female bricklayers has hit back at cruel trolls who brand her as ‘unattractive’ for working a ‘man’s job’. Take a look below:
Darcie Richards, 26, says she is ‘doing it for the girls’ as she receives loads of comments from men who judge her appearance just because she does a stereotypically masculine job.
Since starting her TikTok account in 2020, Darcie has amassed over 200,000 followers, which she uses to inspire other women to follow in her footsteps.
The bricklayer receives regular hate comments, such as one stating: “Well this has to be the most unattractive thing I’ve seen a woman do today.”
However, in signature Darcie fashion, she replied back with a video of her lifting bricks and climbing ladders at work, declaring: “Just because you feel emasculated, doesn’t make me unattractive!”
The 5ft 2in construction worker joined her dad's company, Richard Builders, to work alongside him and her brothers, Louis and Jody.
However, she became increasingly irritated by men who called her ‘not strong enough’, ‘too slow’, and ‘unattractive’.
Nevertheless, Darcie has come out trumps as she has even become an ambassador for Scruff’s workwear after they released their first women’s line of clothing.
In another video, she addressed her followers saying: "There have been so many girls, hundreds, who have come to me and said how much of an inspiration I am to them.
“They think it's awesome and they are going to do the same.
“But it's not just women, half of my followers are men, who are also really happy to see us entering the trade.
“Luckily, the positivity outweighs the negatives in the hundreds of thousands. But I do get some negative comments from people online too. If I do, it is always from men.
“They just see a girl and think it’s pathetic or that I want attention; they don’t think I'm strong enough or I am too slow.”
However, she doesn’t let it get to her, as she added: “I have gone to up 6.1 million likes on TikTok.
“I am really proud of myself. I did not think I would ever be in a position to help anybody. Now I have a platform and something to say and people are listening.”
Of course, her followers have rallied in support against any trolls.
One said: “What’s attractive about a female is seeing her do what she wants to do.”
Another wrote: “Hilarious when other people are offended by inspiring, independent, hard-working women doing what they do and doing it well.”
A third added: “I think this is the most awesome and attractive thing I’ve seen all day.
“She’s healthy, fit and strong and puts many couch potatoes to shame.”
Abbi Murray