Dami Hope's family have had to plea for protection of the Love Island star after the online abuse he has received over his actions in the villa.
The Dubliner was a favourite since the beginning of the series but fans quickly changed their minds after the Casa Amor test. The microbiologist was formerly coupled up with popular islander Indiyah Polack - and fans were left fuming when he showed interest in getting to know newcomer Summer Botwe.
Trolls went on to flock to the 26-year-old's Instagram to bash him after they deemed their kiss as 'cheating'. And after an explosive recoupling episode on Thursday, which seen both Dami and Indiyah choose to recouple with other people, Dami’s family and friends explained they have had to turn off the comments on his social media platforms due to the wrath of abuse he has been subject to.
Read more: Four hilarious words for Jack Keating as he is dumped from Love Island
They wrote: “We understand that LI (Love Island) fans are very interested in the show but the hateful DMs/comments we’ve received over the last couple of days are so uncalled for.
“To protect the well-being of Dami’s family and close friends, we decided to turn them off.”
![](https://i2-prod.dublinlive.ie/incoming/article24416944.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_damiPNG.png)
It comes just days after the islander’s family defended the star - after claiming edited teaser clips of the show had "painted him as the villain".
In a Q&A, someone commented: "The producers did him dirty ngl, they really making him out as the Casa Amor Villian".
The family running his account responded: "Let's talk about it! The trailer really did nothing but painted him as the villain, while the episode showed that was not the case".
![](https://i2-prod.dublinlive.ie/incoming/article24409884.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/2_Love-Island-TV-show-Series-8-Episode-24-Majorca-Spain-29-Jun-2022.jpg)
Another question said: "This is love Island, fair play to Dami for actually not being safe and being himself".
To which they answered: "Dami is just being himself with no filter. Acting the same way he would inside and outside the Villa."
Those behind his page at the minute went on to plead with fans to ‘be kind’, and shared another answer box opinion which read: "People need to relax with the hate, it's just a show".
They added: "Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion but allow the hateful messages".
Read next:
- Ronan Keating breaks his silence on son Jack entering the Love Island villa
- Inside Boyzone singer Shane Lynch's suburban home
- Keith Duffy celebrates 24 years of marriage with throwback pics of Vegas wedding
- Jack Keating has an Instagram influencer sister - who was a favourite for Love Island.
- Jack Keating: Love Island Casa Amor star's life from 'famous old man' to Belvedere Rugby success
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox