Love Island contestant Brad McClelland has issued an apology to co-star Rachel Finni over a 'humiliating' video he and other stars from the dating show did on Instagram.
Brad was joined by fellow Love Island 2021 contestants Aaron Francis, Jake Cornish and Tyler Cruickshank for a live video on the social media platform, where they took both questions and comments from followers.
The group were discussing the subject of bombshells entering the villa on the ITV2 show when Brad read out a message which read ‘Rachel, not a bombshell.'
Brad, from Amble and who was with Rachel for a brief time on the show in 2021 read it then burst out laughing, before adding that he 'wasn't into her', while implying that he may have used her to stay in the villa, Chronicle Live reports.
Rachel became aware of the video after it was shared by others and she issued a statement on her own Instagram profile about how angry and humiliated she'd been made to feel.
She wrote: 'Today is the first day I've had a feeling of regret when it comes to appearing on the show. Despite EVERYTHING that happened till now, I still saw the experience as a blessing. No matter how awful and manipulated it was I just took it as part of the experience as it lead me to amazing thing.
'But for it to be TODAYYYY and I have actual nobodies mimicking me an discussing me publicly like a joke. I am FULLY over it and regret going on the show.'
Rachel added: "Why is this deserving of going on a tv show? How do these actual idiots think it's ok to publicly humiliate me and discuss me like that?
"And not just today. Multiple, multiple and multiple times over. TODAY year later and I'm still being bullied/taunted openly for all to see.
"Honestly... if there's a statement strong than 'f**k you' understand it and receive it. I'm done."
Rachel also said she didn't want an apology as it 'wouldn't be authentic,' but on Thursday evening Brad took to social media to issue one.
He wrote: "I want to apologise to Rachel and others for any feelings that were hurt during our Instagram Live the other night. I've watched the video back and I can see how this was perceived.
"This upon reflection was not not the way to behave and 100% not my intention to hurt or upset her and those who know me, know I'm not that type of person."
He ended the statement: "I have since reached out to Rachel personally and apologised for any hurt that I caused. From the bottom of my heart I am really, really sorry."
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