Love Island stars unite to support social media ban after vile bullying from trolls

Ex Love Island stars have spoken out about how social media affected their family as the winter edition of the show kicks off tonight.

It's all change for the Islanders as new host Maya Jama makes her debut in South Africa - but that's not the only difference.

ITV has banned contestants' friends and family from running their social media accounts in a bid to protect them from the "adverse effects of social media".

Additionally, ahead of entering the Villa, Islanders will also receive guidance and training around mutually respectful behaviour in relationships.

Contestants have never been able to post from inside the villa, often leaving those closest to them to deal with any trolling that sadly arrises.

Speaking about her experience on the programme in 2020, Faye Winter, 27, praised ITV for its 'brilliant welfare and counselling support'.

However, her sister Jo, who was running her social media account said: "Faye did get quite a bit of trolling, but between between me and her team we were able to use blocked words."

Faye Winter praised ITV for its level of care but her sister didn't have the easiest time running her social media (@faye__winter)

Jo said she'd share the offending words with the contestants of other families in a bid to get the material blocked, reports the BBC.

Chyna Mills - who was on the series last year - says she was worried for her sister, who ran her account while she was on the show.

"Whilst being inside of the villa, I was constantly worrying about if my sister could handle running my social media accounts," she said, who admitted her sibling said the process the "most stressful thing ever".

Paige Turley says running the socials of an Islander is an "emotional rollercoaster" (paige_turley/Instagram)

Meanwhile, Paige Turley, who won the first Winter Love Island series with boyfriend Finn Tapp, said running the social media accounts of a relative who was on the show was an "emotional rollercoaster".

She welcomed ITV's ban, saying it will give the contestants' loved ones an "easier time".

Faye's sister Jo also backed the change saying it will give families an opportunity to simply enjoy the show.

Brett Staniland said he was unsure about the ban (2022 David M. Benett)

Amy Day told us she thought the new rule was a "great idea" (PALACE LEE / SplashNews.com)

In addition, Islander Amy Day told us: "I think it's a great idea. I think it's really good. And I've kind of seen a lot in the press about it. And past Islanders, I think we all agree it's a good idea."

However, Brett Staniland, who was on the 2020 series thought the rule change could be a bad thing as the "backlog of hate and abuse" he felt the contestants may garner would just "pile up".

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.

•Love Island starts tonight on ITV at 9pm