The concerned family of Love Island contestant Amy Hart have spoken out to say they've received death threats and abusive messages.
Her relatives said the amount of hateful comments they've received over the last few days was 'off the scale and extremely upsetting.'
They felt forced to speak out after Amy's been branded a 'snake' by some viewers for appearing to betray her formerly close friend Lucie Donlon.
Some Love Island fans tweeted during last night's episode to suggest Amy grinned as she discovered Lucie and Joe Garratt were facing the chop.
Referencing the intense trolling, a statement on Amy's official Instagram from her friends and family claimed she's been hugely misunderstood.
It read: "We would like to thank those who continue to support Amy and those who have sent kind messages through the whole Love Island experience, but especially over the last few trying days.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however the way some people are gunning for Amy is shocking and really upsetting for her friends and family and everyone who knows and loves her."
Some viewers had criticised Amy over her decision to vote Lucie Donlan and Joe Garratt as the least compatible couple - which ultimately led to their break-up.
Amy's family defended the choice, saying: "The other couples also voted for Lucie and Joe as least compatible due to their recent ups and downs, and nobody in the villa knew it would end in any islanders being voted out.
They continued: "The volume of hateful comments and death threats we have received over the last couple of days has been completely off the scale and extremely upsetting. They still continue to come through, and it stems from one comment made four episodes ago which was said in support of Lucie."
Championing the air hostess, they added: 'Amy is a fierce friend. She is kind, loyal and supportive. She wants the best for everyone and is willing to give herself entirely to those she cares about.
"Amy is not malicious or vindictive and she's certainly not a bully."
The statement finished with a request to those sending vile messages to consider the implications of their words before taking to social media.
"Anyone who knows Amy knows she does not deserve this," they added.
The statement comes after dumped contestant Joe Garratt's family also spoke out to say he has been unfairly edited on the show following his elimination.
A spokesperson for the show told the Mirror: "What airs on Love Island is a fair and accurate representation of what happens in the villa."
