Adam Collard has hit out at online trolls – insisting he is not a "punch bag".
The former ‘Love Island’ star insists just because he and his girlfriend Zara McDermott use the social media site Twitter, it does not give people an excuse to mistreat them online with a flurry of abusive comments.
Speaking about his youth, he said: "I was quite overweight, all the way up to 16. But I could come home and get away from it then. But when it’s on Instagram and Twitter, you can’t really get away from it.
"Just because we have a blue tick, we are not a punch bag to all these comments."
Zara has also slammed trolls who have been spouting lies about her, and admitted she is finding it "so difficult" not to hit back at some of the abusers.
She said: "I think, in ‘Love Island’, it’s an overnight fame you find. This is like you are catapulted into this world where all of a sudden people feel they have the right to comment negatively on everything you do, just because you are in the public eye.
"I don’t think it’s the comments that are so tough for me because I understand people have opinions. But it’s actually the fact I can’t empathise with someone else who chooses to comment negatively on my appearance because I would never do it to anyone else. I can’t understand why anyone would do it.
"I’m finding it so difficult not to defend myself against things. I’ve not had surgery. I’m not going to allow someone to cast that judgement on me when it’s not true."
Adam was pals with former ‘Love Island’ star Sophie Gradon, who was found dead at her parents’ home aged 32 in June, and he admits she was one of the "strongest girls" he knew.
Speaking in a joint interview on ‘Lorraine’, he added: "She was in my friendship group as well. When I knew Sophie, she was one of the strongest girls I knew.
"It proves it can get to anyone and people need to really think."
Adam Collard blasts online trolls: I’m not a punch bag
