Love Island star Danny Bibby has left the villa days after being hit with backlash due to the racial slur he used online.
Those close to the plumber have since rallied around him and insisted he’s nothing like that.
Danny’s friend and reality TV former face Chris Kirk has taken to Instagram to defend his friend on an Instagram post.
The former MTV Love or Lies contestant said: “Known Bibby for a year or so and from what you have seen on TV and him been accused as a racist is the complete opposite to what he is like in real life.
“A genuine, nice and caring lad and doesn’t let people struggle!
“Not one racist bone in the lad!
“So remember be kind and keep the opinions to yourself until you even get to know him in the slightest.”
Chris continued “He needed more of a chance in the villa but with the time he spent in there he has done well!
“So stop with the hate comments as everyone was supporting the social media trolls when Caroline [Flack] sadly took her own life, so just remember! @dannybibby_”
Another friend of the Islander commented beneath: “Well said Chris, looking forward to having him back with the people that care about him the most”
A second wrote: “Well said sick to my back teeth of seeing so many judgemental comments and statuses.
“You’ve got to know someone personally before giving an opinion.”
A third penned: “People will be preaching mental health on there stories then acting different 2 minutes later”
The ITV2 dating show received more than 1,500 complaints following producers’ decision to not kick Danny out of the villa after fans found out that he used a racial slur on social media.
The 25-year-old plumber and clothing brand owner, reportedly used the n-word in an Instagram post in 2019 which has since been deleted by whoever is running his account.
ITV sent out a statement from Danny that he put together from inside the villa, but it didn’t seem as if anything else was done other than that – which angered fans even more.
It said: “I’d like to take the time to apologise to anyone that may have taken offence to my inappropriate remark.
“I never meant anything malicious by this comment at all.”
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He continued: “I am not a racist person and it’s unacceptable language and ignorant.
“I meant no offence and feel like I have really learnt from my mistakes and will never use that word again.
“I am a kind loving person and hopefully you get to see that in the show.”
Danny’s father also released a statement on behalf of his son when all the drama kicked off.
He said: “Danny does not have a racist bone in his body and there were no racist intention to this post…
“Although it was not done maliciously, it was a mistake.
“I absolutely apologise on his behalf for the offence this wording may have caused. That would never have been his intention.”
Love Island airs daily on ITV2 and ITVHub at 9pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk