Helen Skelton's estranged husband has addressed the 'abusive' messages he receives online.
Richie Myler has made a decision about his future on social media following the reaction to the end of his marriage with Strictly Come Dancing star Helen earlier this year and his subsequent new relationship with Stephanie Thirkill, who is currently pregnant with her first child.
The Leeds Rhino rugby player, 32, shared a lengthy message with his Instagram followers before making his account private, in which he explained how he has received a barrage of negative comments over recent months so is therefore making a change to how he lives his life online.
Addressing his Instagram followers before making his account private, Richie wrote earlier this week: "I've decided to put my profile private from now on.
"If you are on here to share my photos or stories of me and my life maliciously to other people or waste your time sending me abusive messages please just unfollow me."
According to the Manchester Evening News, the dad-of-three went on to add: "I'm going to start removing people from my account one by one, so if you are a genuine rugby fan and I accidentally remove you I apologise in advance and will accept you back! Thank you Richie."
Richie's Instagram account is now currently set to private with 20,400 followers remaining. The rugby player's account is following 379 accounts.
Helen, 39, announced in April this year that her eight-year marriage to the Richie had ended and the sports star had moved out of the family home, just four months on from the pair welcoming their third child into the world together.
"Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple," the former Blue Peter presenter wrote to her fans at the time. "He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children."
Alongside their newborn daughter Elsie Kate, the former couple also share sons, Ernie, six, and Louis, four.
Following his shock split from Helen, Richie was snapped with new girlfriend Stephanie, who is daughter of the multi-millionaire president of Leeds Rhinos - the rugby club the dad-of-three currently plays for.
Stephanie is currently expecting her first child with Richie, with a pal recently speaking on her behalf and begging people to stop judging the mum-to-be and sending her cruel messages.
Helen's estranged husband's recent decision regarding his Instagram privacy settings comes after a friend of girlfriend Stephanie's begged the public to stop judging the couple amid their pregnancy news.
The friend of Stephanie's told the Mirror earlier this month: "She has told me, 'It’s upsetting that anyone could be judging me when I am so early on in pregnancy. I want to be able to enjoy this time without it being tarnished as I’ve always dreamed of being a mum.
"I have never meant to cause any upset to Helen but I do feel I’m being painted as some sort of horrible person."
The pal went on to add: "Steph has kept a dignified silence but is very upset by some of the social media comments that have made her out as some sort of marriage-wrecker when she is nothing of the sort."
The friend also confirmed Stephanie only recently passed the 12-week point of her pregnancy.
Helen is yet to publicly comment on her ex's baby news or his new relationship, but has seemingly been focusing on her stint on Strictly Come Dancing and life as a single mother.
Speaking on a recent episode of Lorraine, the Countryfile presenter, 39, thanked fans for their "lovely messages" of support as she gave tips to fellow mums about how to navigate feelings of guilt when trying to carve out some time for yourself.
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