Love Island’s Jacques O’Neill has opened up about being ‘scared of life’ as he received ‘death threats’ after leaving the villa.
The former rugby player, 23, left Love Island earlier this month when he was left distraught after former contestant Adam Collard, who has a reputation as a womaniser, was drafted in to the current series by ITV producers, when Adam quickly began flirting with Jacques’s partner Paige Thorne.
And on Thursday, Jacques appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss life after the dating show, admitting that he ‘just wanted my mum’ after his traumatic experience.
Scary: Love Island’s Jacques O’Neill has opened up about being ‘scared of life’ as he received ‘death threats’ after leaving the villa
Host Kate Garraway started by asked Jacques: ‘How do you feel now being out because the episode you left was emotional to watch’
Jacques responded: ‘When I first came out it was very different for me, I was scared of life and what was to come next for me.
‘When I was in the holding villa I just wanted my mum. We were getting death threats. I thought to myself I’m going to delete social media’
Speaking out: On Thursday, Jacques appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss life after the dating show, admitting that he ‘just wanted my mum’ after his traumatic experience
Jacques’ family revealed during his time in the villa that he had been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine and sometimes struggled to deal with emotional situations.
He continued: ‘I then started to get messages saying I’m a role model with the ADHD thing and I decided I need to stand up and be there for them. I was overwhelmed with it all’
‘I’ve been posting a lot saying thank you because if it wasn’t for them, I would still be in that dark place, if it wasn’t for the people giving me love I would be in a bad place.’
The reality star added: ‘When I got out, I was so ready to delete that, I was angry at my mum I didn’t want an excuse for my behaviour. It wasn’t that at all, it was my mum was getting hate I think she felt she had to.’
Jacques told co-host Ben Shephard: ‘My plan moving forward is to work with kids with ADHA, disabilities. A lot of people come out thinking about money but if I can put a smile one someone’s face it makes my day.’
The former rugby player, 23, revealed: ‘When I was in the holding villa I just wanted my mum. We were getting death threats. I thought to myself I’m going to delete social media’
Jacques previously told how he left the Love Island villa over fears he’d lose control but claims bosses tried to make him stay.
The reality personality decided to remove himself following the arrival of Adam as he declared: ‘Love Island was the worst decision of my life.’
Jacques was rattled by the arrival of former contestant Adam, who set his sights on the rugby player’s partner Paige Thorne, 24, before telling his fellow Islanders that the sportsman was ‘immature’.
Adam, who was known for his womanising ways, made a shock comeback to the ITV2 show this week after originally appearing in series four in 2018.
Heightened emotions: Jacques was visibly distressed about his relationship with Paige Thorne, 24 (pictured right), before he left the Love Island villa
Gemma Owen’s ex Jacques, said he’d reached breaking point after Adam’s arrival, telling The Sun: ‘I thought if I don’t get myself out things could go horribly wrong and I could get physical.’
Jacques said he removed his microphone and walked out the front doors of the villa before producers intercepted, prompting him to demand to be left alone.
He insisted he ‘couldn’t deal with it’ any longer and was in tears, saying he wanted to return to the UK.
Mixing things up: Jacques was rattled by the arrival of former contestant Adam, who set his sights on the rugby player’s partner Paige
He added: ‘It broke me and I was already broken. I was crying my eyes out. I couldn’t cope. I was literally feeling awful. It was the worst I’d ever felt in my life.’
Jacques stopped taking his Ritalin medication for ADHD seven years ago and did not expect the condition to cause problems during his time on the show, despite bosses’ concerns.
He has since said: ‘Any little thing in the villa, in the end, started bothering me and I was just getting in so much of a rut.
‘I know the way I spoke to Paige was wrong. I tried to apologise and she kept asking why I did it. ADHD isn’t just about not being able to concentrate. It’s also about feeling anxious quite a lot, being on edge a lot.’
Jacques was in good spirits as he took his mother Janet out for dinner on Saturday, with the star giving an update on his wellbeing for his social media followers.
Sharing a picture of himself with his arm around his mother on his Instagram page, he wrote: ‘Back to the standard Saturday taking R jan (sic) out for tea.’
He wrote: ‘I just want you all to know that I’m in such a better place mentally.
‘A huge reason for that is because of all the love and support I have received!
‘I’d be in a much darker place if it wasn’t for all of your kinds words, so thank you again I appreciate it so much.’
Difficulties: Jacques previously said he had ‘no more tears left to cry’ following his dramatic exit from Love Island after watching footage with his mother (pictured)
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk