This Morning hosts blast 'disgusting' abuse towards Jay Slater's mum amid ongoing search in Tenerife

This Morning stars Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard learned that Jay Slater's mother Debbie is the target of negative comments on social media
-Credit: (Image: ITV)


Debbie Duncan is being subjected to online abuse as her anxiety escalates with her son Jay Slater still missing.

The British teenager has vanished in Tenerife, last making contact on Monday morning (June 17) at 8.15am, after deciding to stay with people he met at the NRG music festival earlier that day.

As concern mounts for the 19-year-old, last seen at Rural de Teno Park, This Morning's Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard discussed his disappearance on today's episode of This morning (Thursday) with Tim Campbell and Nick Ferrari.

"It's really distressing", began said Tim, "in an era where social media could be utilised positively for locating or possible sightings, some individuals are approaching the mum with extremely negative comments (...) which is utterly revolting."

Originating from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, Jay flew to Tenerife to attend the NRG festival with his friend Lucy, last making contact when he revealed his intentions to walk back to their lodgings after missing a bus. The trek from the Rural de Teno Park is reportedly a staggering 11-hour-long journey, reports the Mirror.

Amid her despair, his mother Debbie Duncan has become the target of online hatred
The mother of a British teenager who has gone missing during a holiday in Tenerife -Credit:Facebook

Major search operations are currently in progress in Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary islands, and Jay's heartbroken mum Debbie joined the search herself on Tuesday (June 18).

In an emotional interview with ITV News, Debbie recounted her son's eagerness for the trip, highlighting his vibrant personality: "He's just an ace person, everyone loves being in his company. He's the life and soul, he's just a beautiful boy".

She then regretfully remarked: "I was loving that he was going and saying you'll love it, you'll come back and you'll want to go again. Now I just wish I hadn't encouraged him to go."

The distraught mum also expressed her fear that foul play might be involved as she notes the area's traffic: "there is a main road, there's bus stops there, there's cafes, it's a hiking route, there's people about, people must have seen him. And if people haven't seen him, someone must have taken him."

"It's just a nightmare, it's an absolute living nightmare. I wouldn't wish this on anybody. I just want my baby back", Debbie implored in desperation.

Adding to the angst on Thursday morning, Jay's pal Lucy disclosed further distressing information, mentioning that before his disappearance, the lad had injured himself on a cactus.

Lucy recalled the alarming conversation with Jay, where he admitted to being hurt, "needed a drink" and "didn't know where he was", lamenting: "If he'd seen somebody, or a car, he would have flagged down the car - he would have said he needed a phone to contact someone.

"If he saw someone, the first thing he would do is say 'I need to ring my mum' - I know that for a fact. He would never ever have his mum worrying like this. It's just awful - I've never in my life been so worried."

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