The families of Love Island stars have teamed up to tackle trolls after one relative was horrified by the vile abuse Luca Bish received.
The fishmonger’s sister Claudia revealed that she had been “sick from crying so much at the death threats” being directed at her brother.
The episode had seen him unleash a four-letter outburst about his partner Gemma Owen, who he claimed was “flirty” with another contestant, prompting trolls to send hate to him.
“How can people be so inhumane?” asked Claudia, adding that the troll’s bombardment of Luca, from Brighton, on Sunday was “the hardest night of my entire life”. The relatives – who have never met – released a joint statement calling for viewers to “be kind”.
They said: “Love Island is an inter-active TV show where opinions, discussion and debate are welcome in equal measure to displays of support, love and kindness.
“Although we have never met, we stand together today united against the hate messages and insults that some viewers seem to think is acceptable to throw at our friends, sons, daughters and family members.
“Your hate has no place on our [social media] pages or in society in general.”
Rugby league player Jacques O’Neill quit the show last week, citing the impact it was having on his mental health and after his mum had to beg trolls to stop sending such “nasty” messages.
Former contestant Amy Hart spoke to a committee of MPs last year about the death threats she had received after she completed her stint in the villa.
Love Island’s producers said they offer support to those monitoring the contestants’ social media pages as well as giving the stars training on dealing with negativity when they leave the show.
Luca's family apologised over Luca's behaviour towards Gemma in last night's episode, over her conversations with Billy.
Taking to his Instagram Stories today, his family wrote that they apologised for his "insensitive" behaviour" and that when he watches it back he will be "deeply embarrassed".
However, the account - run by his sister - also warned that he is in an "intense environment where his emotions are heightened".
She revealed that they had been receiving horrible death threats and that - as a result - they have been forced to turn the comments off on his social media.
They wrote: "I want to apologise on behalf of Luca for his insensitive reaction on last night's episode. I know that when he watches it back, he will be embarrassed and deeply apologetic.
"We as his family don't condone his behaviour last might, but we do understand he is in an intense environment where his actions are heightened. Last night was not reflective of the boy we all know and love at home.
"Please be aware death threats and nasty comments totally overstep the mark and something we has a family should not have to ensure, for this reason we have turned off the comments and messages."
