Love Island's Scott Thomas has hit back at the backlash towards Elma Pazar in his first post since his sudden exit.
The star decided to depart the villa over the weekend amid doubts over his relationship with Tina Stinnes, telling her: "I don't feel like I can give you any more and I think you fully deserve that."
Elma expressed frustration over Scott's behaviour, suggesting that if he is "not happy, then go home" before he announced his exit to the other islanders.
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While Elma has drawn backlash from some for seemingly encouraging Scott to depart, the star has come to her defence, saying she "had no part to play" in his decision to leave.
In a new Instagram video, Scott reflected on his exit, telling fans it "wasn't the fairytale ending" he hoped for, though he "wouldn't change any of it for the world".
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"It was a twice-in-a-lifetime experience and I met some amazing people, explored an amazing connection in there, but it just wasn't meant to be," he shared. "But I don't have any regrets, and I just want to say thank you to everybody.
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"I'm so proud of myself because I stayed true to myself and that is just so important to me. And I just want to say thank you, because I can see so many messages and I'm so appreciative."
Scott went on to urge fans: "Please don't give Elma a hard time. She had no part to play in me leaving, I did that because it was a decision that I made for me. So please back Elma, back everybody in there. I wish them all well."
He then concluded: "I just want to say thank you because it's a nice feeling knowing that staying true to yourself can resonate with people, so big up to everyone, lots of love."
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Writing in the comments, Scott admitted that he "didn’t always get things quite right in there" though is "still very much learning as [he goes]".
The post comes after Scott's brother Ryan responded to his departure, saying on social media: "Just want my boy home."
As well as Scott, the past week has seen Ron Hall also decide to leave the Love Island villa.
Love Island airs on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
