Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DESERT RATS
Love Island stars get abuse for travelling to Dubai in the pandemic
LOVE Island stars are being bombarded with abuse and even death threats after showing off in the sunshine on foreign jaunts.
One agent of a star who had travelled to Dubai told how they had been inundated with messages saying they’d hoped she died from Covid.
They said: “We manage their social media accounts and I’ve seen a number of death threats in direct messages.
“It’s been relentless. We warned them not to travel abroad while a lot of the nation is under severe restrictions as it’s a terrible look, but they ignored it.”
Some stars left the UK for the desert city in the UAE when their local area was still under Tier 2 or 3 – when the advice about travelling overseas was less strict. Others left areas in Tier 4, including London, that were placed into restrictions on December 19.
Going abroad is permitted for work reasons under Tier 4 if your job cannot be done at home.
The agent said: “You have to remember a lot of what constitutes work for them is doing vlogs or posting Instagram shots advertising diet drinks.
“It’s work but in a very loose sense. But it’s enough to allow them to travel. The free hotels offered in return for publicity are doubtless a nice perk too.
“But it has gone down like a lead balloon with their fans, and you have to wonder if it’s really worth it.”
Stars who have gone to either Dubai or the Maldives recently include Amber Gill, Amber Davies, Molly-mae Hague, Tommy Fury and Laura Anderson to name just a few.
Molly-may and boyfriend Tommy are among the stars to have been bombarded with abuse.
She acknowledged the row on s o ci al medi a insisting: “Tommy and I only came on this holiday when I was allowed on the rules and where we live in Manchester it is allowed.
“We are not breaking any rules right now. People have completely misread
the situation and think that me and Tommy are breaking the rules.”
But her fans have been fuming. One wrote: “There is still a global pandemic and just because we’re not in total lockdown doesn’t mean we should travel.
“People travelling (especially abroad) is a huge reason why this pandemic is still happening. If you’re not going to stay home for yourself at least do it for everyone else.”
Another social media user added: “I am a fan of yours but it’s really disgusting seeing you and Tommy travelling during a global pandemic.”
A third said: “Covid and lockdown applies to influencers too. How privileged you think you are to constantly go on holiday this year. Selfish.”
It’s work in a very loose sense but it is enough to allow them to travel REALITY STAR’S AGENT ON CLIENT’S TRIP ABROAD