Richie Myler has set his Instagram private months after his split from Helen Skelton
(Picture: Dave M Benett/Getty Images)Richie Myler has turned his public Instagram account to private after he allegedly received “abusive messages” from followers.
According to a new report, the rugby player, who split with Helen Skelton earlier this year, said on his social-media account that he would be “removing followers one by one”.
Skelton, 39, and Myler, 32, married in 2013 and separated this April – four months after she gave birth to their third child.
He then struck up a romance with Stephanie Thirkill, 32, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill, who is one of the richest businessmen in Leeds and worth an estimated £175 million.
Although Myler boasts a verified account with more than 20K followers, he announced that he was turning his Instagram page private this week, according to the Daily Star.
The outlet claim that he posted to his Stories explaining the decision, noting the abuse that he has received while the account was public.
He allegedly penned: “I’ve decided to put my profile private from now on.
“If you are on here to share my photos or stories of me and my life maliciously to other people or waste your time sending me abusive messages, please just unfollow me.
“I’m going to start removing people from my account one by one so, if you are a genuine rugby fan and I accidentally remove you, I apologise in advance and will accept you back! Thank you, Richie.”
The move comes after it was reported that Myler is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend Thirkill, six months after his split from Skelton.
The pair’s relationship came to light in May, days after it was announced that his marriage was over.
Myler also wasted no time in showing off the new romance, posting an image on Instagram of him with Thirkill at Wimbledon in June.
Now it has been reported that the former Blue Peter presenter was told of the pregnancy before Thirkill announced it on social media.
A source told the Sun that Myler and Thirkill are “thrilled” to be expecting their first child, just six months after their relationship came to light.
The insider shared: “Stephanie and Richie are obviously thrilled. They have moved very quickly but are extremely happy together.
“The timing of the pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows, though. It is obviously such a huge step, and one made remarkably quickly off the back of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage ending.
“But Richie and Helen maintain cordial relations and, in a way, the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment.”
Myler is already dad to two sons, Ernie, six, Louis, five, and a daughter, Elsie Kate, eight months, with his ex Skelton.
