Florence, 24, is trolled over lover, 45

FLORENCE Pugh has hit back at fans who have upset her with ‘horrid’ comments about the 21-year age gap between her and her boyfriend.

The Oscar-nominated star demanded that fans stop following her on social media if they can’t accept her relationship with American actor Zach Braff.

Miss Pugh, 24, posted a tribute to her boyfriend on his 45th birthday on Monday, describing him as a ‘special person’ alongside a photograph of him with his dog.

But the English actress said that within eight minutes of posting it, 70 per cent of the comments she received were abusive, and accused her followers of ‘bullying’ her.

‘It is the first time in my entire Instagram life that I’ve had to turn off the comments on my page. I have never been an Instagram page that encourages that... that likes that toxic vibe,’ she said in a video. ‘I am 24 years old. I do not need you tell me who I should and should not love... It is not your place, and really it has nothing to do with you, so if those rules are something that you do not like then please unfollow me.

‘I will not allow that behaviour on my page. It makes me upset, it makes me sad during this time when we really all need to be together.’

Her post was met with praise from fans, with some sharing their own age-gap stories in support.

Stars also commended Miss Pugh, such as American singer Ariana Grande, who criticised those attacking the actress by writing that ‘being hateful is not trendy’.

Miss Pugh, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in Little Women, was first seen in April last year with Braff, who is best known for his role as J D, the lead character in US comedy Scrubs.