TOWIE star Joey Turner has revealed he made a frantic 2am phone call to the show counsellor after cruel trolls told him he should be “put down”.
The 19-year-old star has since quit the ITVBe series to pursue a career in fashion.
He was devastated by the vile messages he received online, with one stranger telling him he should be “shot” and “put down”.
Though Joey said he tried to develop a “thick skin” in order to better ignore the horrific comments, he had to seek expert help when the trolling only got worse.
Joey revealed: “I called the TOWIE psychologist at 2 in the morning because of it.
“I have trolls tell me I should be shot, and that I should be put down.”
(Image: Instagram)
He thanked the ITVBe team for helping him get through the incredibly difficult time, and told The Sun they were “absolutely brilliant”.
“They have said I can call them any time I have a problem, and they will always answer the phone,” the star said.
Joey made the decision to quit TOWIE, despite it having been the “dream job” for him since he joined aged 17.
He’s since applied to study fashion at university and wants to have his own fashion house one day or be the creative director of a fashion company, inspired by Tommy Mallet’s range of shoes.
(Image: joeyturnerrr/Instagram)
“TOWIE have left the door open for me to return, so it probably won’t be the last you see of me. Who knows!” Joey teased, as he left fans devastated by his exit announcement.
Joey explained that the large age gap between him and some of the older stars of TOWIE encouraged him to get cosmetic surgery.
He said Botox and dermal fillers make him “look and feel more mature” after he had Botox injections to lengthen his face and filler put into his cheeks and lips.
(Image: itv)
He wanted to “enhance” the features he was born with by undergoing such procedures, rather than change his looks entirely.
Joey famously got emotional while explaining to his best friend Chloe Brockett on the show that he had made the decision to leave.
Chloe, too, burst into tears at the revelation.
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In a written statement to fans, Joey said at the time: “After two and a half years of being on the show, I have decided to take a step back and create a new path for myself.
“Even though I was basically a child when I started I have had the most fun experience and made so many amazing friends.
“I am incredibly grateful for the entire experience and now it’s time for the next chapter.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
