'Love Island' star Priya subjected to 'unacceptable' racist abuse shortly after joining show

The family and friends of Love Island contestant Priya Gopaldas have revealed she has received "unacceptable" racist abuse on social media since joining the show.

Gopaldas — a 23-year-old medical student — entered the villa as a bombshell on Sunday and has since coupled up with fellow new arrival Brett Staniland.

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Her decision to pair up with Staniland led to popular contestant Matthew MacNabb being dumped from the island.

The Sun reported a message posted on Gopaldas's Instagram Story in the wake of her decision, criticising trolls who targeted her with vile abuse.

Watch: Matt dumped from Love Island after Priya chooses Brett

"We understand everyone has their own views on what happens on the show. However we need to remind you guys that racist comments and trolling is unacceptable," her account wrote.

"Please remember to be kind. Thank you to all the lovely messages that have been sent supporting Priya."

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In a statement to the publication, a representative from Love Island said: "We want Love Island to be a positive experience for all of our cast and their friends and family members."

Online abuse towards Love Island stars has already been a frequent point of discussion during this series, with the family of Chloe Burrows revealing she received death threats within days of the show's launch.

Former contestant Dr Alex George was among those to swiftly condemn the abuse aimed at Burrows, writing on his own Instagram page.

He said: "I am saddened to see how much negativity and hate there has been online during this series of Love Island.

"Hard to comprehend that people are sending death threats and encouraging contestants to 'kill themselves' just because they don’t like what they are seeing on screen."

Read more: Laura Whitmore hopes Love Island will do Caroline Flack proud

Love Island is offering an enhanced aftercare package for its contestants this year in order to assist them while on the show and in adjusting to their new fame when the series ends.

This comes in the wake of the high-profile suicides of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, as well as presenter Caroline Flack in 2020.

Watch: Love Island receives Ofcom complaints after Faye and Teddy row