Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan have confirmed they have made a formal complaint to the police after online rape threats were made against their daughter Chloe.

The family said they have handed over "a substantial amount of evidence" to the police.

The 27-year-old was the target of online trolls after she defended comments made by Judy during a debate around the future of rapist Ched Evans, in which her mother said his crime was "non violent" and did not cause "bodily harm".

A statement from the family said: "Following legal advice, our family has now made a formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police about cyber-stalking, harassment and, most recently, rape threats made against Chloe on Twitter.

"We have presented the police with a substantial amount of evidence, and they have launched an immediate investigation.

"We will be making no further comment at this time."