Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri's dad has admitted that he is “sick to the stomach” over the online trolling that his daughter is receiving while she’s in the villa.
Tarek has said that he is so disgusted by the horrible comments aimed at the 23-year-old that he rallied the other contestants’ families into releasing a joint statement. The model was born deaf and wears a cochlear implant and many trolls have been sending her vile messages.
Along with producers of the ITV2 show, they say the trolling has been “abhorrent” and are calling for viewers to be more considerate and spread kindness instead of hate. Speaking to The Mirror, Tarek said “It’s just shocking, it’s been some horrific. ‘deaf and dumb cow. B****. S***. She’s screwed every guy in the villa,’ type thing.
“It’s nasty and unnecessary. It makes me stick to the stomach, actually. I don’t know what fuels people to even think like that. They don’t even know them. It’s quite bizarre.”
Tarek talked with Tasha, 23, about the possibility of becoming a target for online bullying, including about her implant before she went on the show. Tarek says: “She said, ‘Dad, it’s not the first time I’ve had this’.”
All the families were given social media training by ITV2 before the show which will continue when they leave. Tarek, from Thirsk, North Yorks, says: “We’ve got no place for hate comments, this show’s about love.”
Gemma Owen's mum also shared her concerns over Luca Bish and Dami Hope's behaviour towards Tasha on the show. Louise Owen, whose daughter is in a couple with Luca, broke her silence on the pair's negativity towards the model.
Over the last week, viewers have grown increasingly uncomfortable over Luca and Dami's attitude towards Tasha, with some dubbing it "hostile" and "bullying" behaviour.
After the Snog, Marry, Pie game, Louise accused the pair of going "too far" as their remarks left Tasha in tears. Gemma's mum shared a comment underneath a video of Tasha and Andrew, which had been posted by her friends and family.
They captioned it: "Whatever happens tonight we’re just happy they have each other! Edit by @sdmnscd #tandrew #loveisland." Writing below in the comments, Louise said with a crying and heart emoji: "I hope Tasha is ok, I feel it’s close to bullying now which is so sad to see."
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