Love Island star Amber's mother 'begged ITV welfare team for help' after she was bombarded with death threats and racist abuse during first few days in the villa
Love Island star Amber Gill's mother reportedly rang the show's 'welfare team' within days of her daughter entering the villa after she was hit with racist abuse and 'portrayed as a stone cold b***h' online.
The beauty therapist, 21, entered the Mallorcan abode at the beginning of the month and in her absence, a pal has been running her social media accounts, who has since spoke out about the online trolling she has received.
Talking to Metro, Martin Tweedy, who has shared several screenshots of the vile messages online and called out the cruel trolls, has spoke out about the abuse to protect Amber's mental health.
Worried: Love Island star Amber Gill's mother reportedly rang the show's 'welfare team' within days of her daughter entering the villa after she was hit with racist abuse and 'portrayed as a stone cold b***h'
He told the publication: 'In the first two or three days, when Amber was portrayed as this stone cold b***h, her mum actually rang the welfare team and used their services and they talked her round.'
Martin went on to praise the Love Island's welfare team and revealed that Amber was given a number to call day or night, as well as being assessed before entering the villa.
Talking about whether the show should be axed following the deaths of former contestants, Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, and after The Jeremy Kyle Show was taken off air, he disagreed with the claims.
Pals: The beauty therapist, 21, entered the Mallorcan abode at the beginning of the month and in her absence, her pal, Martin Tweedy (pictured), has been running her social media accounts, and has since spoken about the online trolling she has received
Speaking out: Talking to Metro, Martin, who has shared several screenshots of the vile messages online and called out the cruel trolls, has spoke out about the abuse to protect Amber's mental health
He said that it's the 'backlash from the public' rather than the show, he added: 'I think its the people and constant barrage of insults. That’s what’s sending people into the downward spiral.
'People need to be aware of their actions, they’re not messaging a robot, they’re messaging a real person with real feelings.' MailOnline has contacted ITV2 for comment.
Earlier this month, Martin took to his Facebook and Twitter to share just some of the vile messages Amber has received since being in the villa.
He penned alongside them: 'So I totally get that people may not get Amber, or she may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but looking after her social, I’m having to deal with these kinds of messages daily.'
Shocking: He told the publication: 'In the first two or three days, when Amber was portrayed as this stone cold b***h, her mum actually rang the welfare team and used their services and they talked her round.'
Martin added: 'This is NOT ok. Although she’s on Love Island, she’s got feelings just like everyone else. I’d have thought that in light of what’s happened in the last year that people may have given online bullying and cyber trolling a hit on the head, but obviously not.
'All of the following screenshots are from within a 24 hour period and have all been reported to IG for bullying and harassment - some for racial hate speech also. #LoveIsland #CyberBullying.'
The interview comes after The Sun shared some of the vile messages the Newcastle native's account has been flooded with, calling her a 'n*****', a 'c***', 'cross-eyed' and a 'w***e'.
Welfare: Martin went on to praise the Love Island's welfare team and revealed that Amber was given a number to call day or night, as well as being assessed before entering the villa
While The Sun shared another message which read: 'I hope they all vote for you to die. Cross eyes.'
Another horrific message, which is still on Amber's Twitter account says: F*****g c***. You think it’s all about you and you’re pretty, well guess what, you are a f*****g c***. I hope you die.'
'Get a grip, you know what I can’t wait for you to get eliminated. I’m gonna throw a party.
Disgusting: The interview comes after The Sun shared some of the vile messages the Newcastle native's account has been flooded with, calling her a 'n*****', a 'c***', 'cross-eyed' and a 'w***e'
'Go and die and f*** off you are rude to everyone and got like that to Lucie no f*****g need to go and drop dead.'
Mart captioned the image, writing: 'Just had this on Instagram but it still doesn’t go against community standards??? Come on Instagram! Do something about this!'
While a previous comment, also still on Twitter, slams her for not choosing Callum Macleod in the first recoupling, it read: 'why the f*** didn't u pick Callum u w****.'
Online abuse: While a previous comment, also still on Twitter, slams her for not choosing Callum Macleod in the first recoupling, it read: 'why the f*** didn't u pick Callum u w****'
Amber's pal says: 'I’d have thought that in light of what’s happened in the last year that people may have given online bullying and cyber trolling a hit on the head, but obviously not'
It comes after Love Island reject Sherif Lanre admitted calling mixed-race Amber 'lighty', leading producers to scold him for 'racism' before booting him from show.
The 20-year-old revealed in a chat with The Sun that he was pulled aside after referring to co-star Amber Gill - who is mixed-race - as a 'lighty'.
While this was not broadcast, show bosses scolded Sherif for the apparent racial slur, informing him 'you cannot use that turn again'.
'I was talking about Amber to two guys. I think it was Joe and Michael. I told them, "A lighty like her would be hugely appreciated in London. Boys would be calling her all the time".
ANOTHER drama: It comes after Love Island reject Sherif Lanre admitted calling mixed-race Amber 'lighty', leading producers to scold him for 'racism' before booting him from show
'About three hours later I was asked to stay behind. One of the crew told me, "You cannot use that term again". I was like, "OK".'
Sherif explained that he spoke to Amber about it to make sure she wasn't offended, which, he says, she wasn't.
'I brought it up with Amber the following day. I said, "I got pulled up for using the term lighty. Maybe it’s a London thing and they don’t use it in other parts of the country". But she told me, "No, we use it in Newcastle all the time. I don’t think it’s offensive".'
He added: 'I don’t think lighty is a bad term. But I can see why they don’t want you to use it on TV. Some people might get offended. I know you can’t call a black person a darky. So I guess lighty isn’t a good word either.'
On the topic of racism, a Love Island spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We would strongly refute any accusation of racism. All of the Islanders are treated fairly and in accordance with our duty of care.'
Offended? Sherif explained that he spoke to Amber about it to make sure she wasn't offended, which, he says, she wasn't
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