Love Island's Kady McDermott ‘bullied’ out of Christmas light switch-on after online petition
Love Island star Kady McDermott broke down in tears as she revealed the “disgusting” abuse she has received online after a petition was launched to prevent her from turning on the Christmas lights in her hometown.
More than 550 local residents signed a petition to have McDermott replaced at the event in Welwyn Garden City.
McDermott, 22, from Stevenage, said she was “flattered” to be booked, but was left feeling like a criminal “from Crimewatch” after facing a barrage of “vile” comments.
The reality TV star struggled to fight back tears as she explained on Snapchat how a group of mother’s had launched the petition.
She said: “It wasn’t just the petition that upset me the most it was the comments that came with it [they] are absolutely disgusting.
“All day I’ve been called a s**g, a s***t, that I shouldn’t be allowed on this planet, I’m disgusting, I’m a waste of space. I’ve been bullied and trolled so much today.”
She continued: “I’ve been treated today like I’m from Crimewatch.
“You’d think Hitler was turning the lights on! These mums saying my parents must be disgusted of me. The comments have been absolutely vile.”
McDermott defended her decision to appear on Love Island, saying it “changed my life for the better,” before calling on those who she claimed have abused her to think about how they would feel if their children were treated in the same way.
The petition, set up by Parents WGC, read: “What kind of example are we setting our children by having the girl from Love Island (shown drunk in this photo), switch on our Christmas lights?
“This is a family event and it would be much better to have a local hero instead.
“Give the money (that would otherwise fund her appearance fee), to a local charity.
“Set a better example to our kids. If you don’t, we won’t show up to the event.”
Welwyn Garden City Business Improvement District pulled McDermott from the event, saying it had not expected “such a strong reaction from the community”.
