Celebrity Big Brother's Ekin-Su is latest star targeted by 'threats'

Celebrity Big Brother's Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has become the latest TV star to become the target of trolls.

Her family said on the star's own Instagram stories: "What made last night a thousand times harder though is seeing and listening to hateful comments, trolling, name calling and physical abuse threats. Nobody deserves this behaviour and to read some of what we did last night."

TV bosses put a welfare plan in place to support stars before appearing on the show, during their TV appearance and after Celebrity Big Brother has aired.

A Celebrity Big Brother spokesperson told Yahoo: "The welfare of all Housemates is of paramount importance to us and we have a robust welfare plan in place to support them before, during and after the show. This includes information and support in dealing with social media."

We take a look at what triggered such a big reaction online in Thursday's episode, what the Cülcüloğlu family have said as well as the support the star has received in the wake of the trolling...

Ekin-Su in tears

Tensions were at an all time high in the Celebrity Big Brother house. The stars shared their face-to-face nominations. Cülcüloğlu broke down in tears after she was nominated at the Celebrity Big Brother fun fair.

Fern Britton, who has taken a dislike to the Love Island star, nominated her. When giving her a kiss, she told her: "You are brilliant."

She explained her reasons saying: "This is because we are talking about playing the game. I have asked lots of questions and a lot of time the answer hasn't been particularly enlightening. I don't get you, you don't get me.

"I think you are wearing a mask. It's mean but I feel the danger and I feel don't know the real you and that has disappointed me and disturbed me."

Marisha Wallace voted for her friend Cülcüloğlu which come as a huge surprise to her and left her in tears. The singer told her: "Because I know if I get to the final, I can't beat you. I know if you get to the final with me you will win the public vote, and if I want to win this I wouldn't have a chance against you."

Story continues

Cülcüloğlu complained it was "not a reason" to nominate her. She went on: "I knew this was going to happen, this judging me because I was on f***ing show before. You've been close to me this whole time so you've been fake to me this whole time. I actually don't want a kiss."

The Love Island star broke down in tears over her friend nominating her and struggled to find it in her to forgive her for what she had said. It triggered a huge response online and her family were shocked to see "hateful" messages.

Ekin Su's family address trolling

The reality TV star's family took action and made an emotional plea on Instagram to Celebrity Big Brother viewers to be kind to her. They revealed the model had received "physical abuse threats" among "hateful" messages following her latest TV appearance.

Her family wrote on social media: "Last night was a really sad episode to watch. Ekin-Su has always cared and worn her heart on her sleeve and last night we saw that.

"What made last night a thousand times harder though is seeing and listening to hateful comments, trolling, name calling and physical abuse threats. Nobody deserves this behaviour and to read some of what we did last night.

"@bbuk is a reality entertainment show that is edited to entertain us as viewers. We see an hour of 24 hours each day and the show is a social experiment that has been known to heighten emotions.

"We would like to thank those of you that have supported Ekin-Su. The love and kind words haven't gone unnoticed! Please remember, in a world where you can be anything, be kind. Love always, Team Ekin-Su x."

Support for Ekin-Su

Cülcüloğlu is one of the five stars facing the public vote in the live eviction. She has gone up against Louis Walsh, Fern Britton and David Potts.

Despite the trolling, her Instagram account was also flooded with many messages of support for the star. "The public is hating on her just cause it’s a trend…. ekin su I LOVE you," one person wrote among the sea of comments.

"Just voted for Ekin. Jealousy is rife in the house," another wrote. "Save her from the jealousy!!!!!!"

Others added: "Good luck to Ekin as shes a woman who’s just nice easily trusting and her trusted alliance’s are game players!! Marisha caused the drama with no thought and then after trying to apologize to ekin she went back into kitchen sofa area and told everyone what ekin said !!! Grow up !!!! Showed utter 0 respect !!!!"

"I’ve voted to save. Hope she wins. She is just fab."

"People are intimidated by pretty women! Take the hate as a compliment."

"Honestly it’s a game show people take these reality shows to seriously it’s actually sad people can’t see reality tv for what it is."

Reality TV stars are vulnerable to trolling

Celebrity Big Brother stars aren't the only celebrities to face trolling when appearing on TV, many of Strictly's stars have been victims of trolling. Recently, Layton Williams faced trolling while he competed on Strictly Come Dancing which he said was "overwhelming" at times.

Throughout his time on the series up until the final, the West End star addressed the trolling and scrutiny he had faced because of his dancing background. Among comments he wrote on social media, he said at the time: "Instead of coming at me with hateful comments, use your energy to shower your fave celeb with love instead. Pretty sure it will make us all feel much better! #ChooseJoy x."

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