Television broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher has revealed that she was physically assaulted in the streets of London.
Ex-Sky Sports presenter Gallacher took to social media to share her terrifying ordeal, which happened on a well-lit street in front of pedestrians on Tuesday night.
The 49-year-old said she was kicked 'like a football' in an unprovoked attack.
Bystanders witnessed the incident and came to her aid.
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Gallacher, who suffered bruising from the assault, explained that she was speaking out because she believed such attacks were happening too often and urged people to be vigilant.
"He turned around, and he kicked me like he was kicking a football," she said in a video posted on Instagram. "He kicked me in the middle of a street at about seven o'clock last night, in front of people, and I turned around and he scarpered.
"I was not being provocative in any way. I was just going about my business as you do. I was just walking to my car to go back home to my family."
Gallacher added: "There was a security guard on a door nearby who was absolutely useless and didn't do anything, which was hugely disappointing.
"He decided he did not like me, and he just thought, Now, give you the boot. And that is not okay. It's not okay, it's not okay.
"It's really sad that that is what's going on on the streets of London, and that is very real."
Former Sky Sports colleague Bianca Westwood expressed her sympathy, saying: "So sorry this happened to you. It's very frightening. Sending love."
Sky Sports presenter Rachel Brookes also responded to Gallacher's post.
"So sorry to hear this Kirsty. Hope you are ok," the Formula One host wrote.
Annabel Croft, who covers tennis for Sky Sports, offered her support too, writing: "I'm so sorry Kirsty - very traumatising and shocking - hope you're ok."
Gallacher's career in broadcast media spans several networks, including Sky Sports, where she enjoyed two spells.
She began with Sky Sports in the late 1990s before returning in 2011 for a seven-year tenure.
Topics: Sky Sports
Nasir Jabbar