I am strong and proud of how I live my life

Amy Schumer has responded to social media "fat shamers" who questioned whether she was an appropriate choice to play Barbie in an upcoming film.

The 35-year-old said she's "very honoured" to be considered to play "an important and evolving icon."

Uploading a picture of herself in a swimsuit she wrote she's "proud to lead by example".

She ended her post with: "I say if I'm beautiful, I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story. I will."

"Is it fat shaming if you know you're not fat and have zero shame in your game," she wrote.

"I am strong and proud of how I live my life and say what I mean and fight for what I believe in and I have a blast doing it with the people I love.

"Where's the shame?"

In a recent BBC interview she said she feels "very comfortable" speaking about herself as a comedian and a feminist as those are "two things that I completely am".

The comedian says: "We need to laugh at the haters and sympathise with them.

"Thanks to everyone for the kind words and support and again my deepest sympathy goes out to the trolls who are in more pain than we will ever understand.

"I want to thank them for making it so evident that I am a great choice.

"It's that kind of response that let's you know something's wrong with our culture and we all need to work together to change it."