Former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George has called for people to 'be kind' after Love Island bosses issued a warning to viewers about social media comments.
Dr Alex, a youth mental health ambassador appointed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was 'shocked and appalled' at the death threats levelled at newcomer Chloe Burrows.
Ahead of Thursday night's episode of the hit ITV2 dating show producers urged fans to 'think before they post' after it was revealed that Chloe had been subjected to threats on her Instagram account.
READ MORE: Love Island star Faye Winter's adorable role away from the villa
Dr Alex, who starred in the show back in 2018, took to social media to address his concern over the 'negativity and hate' he had seen online during this series.
In a statement the A&E doctor wrote: "I am shocked and appalled at what we have witnessed online over the last few days.
"I am saddened to see how much negativity and hate there has been online during this series of Love Island.
"Hard to comprehend that people are sending death threats and encouraging contestants to 'kill themselves' just because they don't like what they are seeing on screen."
Last July the 30-year-old doctor suffered the heartbreaking loss of his 19-year-old brother to mental health issues.
Llŷr took his own life just weeks before he was due to start medical school.
And in February 2020 Love Island host Caroline Flack took her own life at the age of 40 after struggling with her mental health.
"As someone who has lost a brother to suicide, I find this truly sickening. Have we learnt nothing since the passing of our beloved Caroline Flack?," Alex asked.
"There is no justification for online bullying and abuse. Before you send hateful vitriol, have a little think."
"What if that was your brother or sister receiving that. what if that was your child on the end of that hate? THINK before you type. Be Kind. Always."
Alex shared the statement with the words: "The online events of the last few days has been nothing short of shocking.
"As youth mental health ambassador I am currently working on an anti-bullying campaign, fair to say recent events have justified it’s need more than ever.
"Please think before you type. Be kind."
On Wednesday night's Love Island fans watched as Chloe, after arriving as a latecomer, chose to couple up with Aaron Francis, leading to Shannon Singh becoming single and being sent home from the show.
The family of marketing executive Chloe, 25, said they were horrified by the abuse this sparked on social media.
Writing on her Instagram story, a statement from her friends and family said: "We hate to introduce ourselves under such vile circumstances but we’ve had enough after just three episodes.
"We all have thick skin but the amount of trolling Chloe has been receiving is absolutely disgusting.
"This morning we woke up to yet another DM (see next story) encouraging Chloe to kill herself – there have been HUNDREDS!"
Referring to the deaths of Caroline and former contestants Sophie Gradon, who was found dead aged 32 in June 2018 and Mike Thalassitis, who took his own life in March 2019 aged 26, the statement added: "Have the deaths of Sophie, Mike, and Caroline taught us nothing?
"Not only that, but people are flooding her inbox threatening to kill her themselves. People… this is a GAME show, there is a cash prize!
"We understand the frustration surrounding @shannonsinghh’s eviction – we feel it too!"
"She didn’t deserve to leave so early but Chloe does not deserve to DIE because Shannon had to leave the villa! She will have had no idea of the repercussions of her decisions prior to making it.
"We are not naive. We know that this post won’t put an end to trolling.
"All the advice we get is to ‘ignore it’ and ‘block the trolls’, sometimes it’s not that easy. Our hope is that this just reminds some of you #BeKind x."
Ahead of Thursday's episode Love Island bosses tweeted: "We want Love Island to be a positive experience for all our cast and their friends and family members.
"Last night's episode created strong reactions but some viewers' posts were wholly unacceptable.
"We take these matters extremely seriously and will support cast members and their families in reporting such posts."
They continued: "We would once again urge all of our viewers to think before posting, and remember that our Islanders are people with feelings."
ITV published its duty of care protocols for all contestants involved in the popular reality show prior to the series starting on Monday.
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The new stars to will be offered a 'minimum of eight therapy sessions' and social media training.
Among the processes detailed for all contributors on Love Island are "comprehensive psychological support", "detailed conversations on the impact of participation on the show" and a "proactive aftercare package", the broadcaster said.
The "minimum of eight therapy sessions" will be offered on their return home from appearing in the series and there will also be training on the impact of social media and "how to handle potential negativity", as well as training on financial management.
Love Island also issued a message on social media ahead of unveiling the Islanders.
It said: "These Islanders are all single and ready to find love. We can't wait to watch them get to know each other, date and maybe even find the one.
"We're so grateful they're letting us follow their journey this summer. We hope you enjoy the show, but please think before you post."
