Yahoo News Toff released in Maldives and thanks UK government for helping her avoid prison
Update: Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo has now been released from an airport detention centre in the Maldives after nine hours – and thanked the UK government for helping her avoid spending Christmas in prison.
The reality star had earlier posted a series of tearful videos on social media, saying immigration officials were not allowing her to travel due to a damaged passport.
But in a later Instagram post on Sunday (December 22), she wrote: "I am typing this having just been released from immigration detention! I can't quite believe it.
"I was genuinely trying to come to terms with spending the next... however long... in an immigration detention centre.
"Thank you so much to everyone who helped me. If I hadn't posted online I would 100% still be stuck without my passport!
"This scares me because it is such a privilege to have a following on social media – people can hear me.
"What if I didn't have a social media following? I can't bear to think of another girl in the situation I found myself in where no one can hear you.
"Extremely grateful that the British government worked with Maldivian representatives. Pushed by the UK press too (so epic thank you!) Also thank you to Maldivian immigration for letting me in to your beautiful country!
"In spite of me crying for 9 hours and scaring everyone at the airport, I made some lovely friends (the group of 7 airport guys that didn't leave me while I was wailing) on reflection they couldn't leave me, because I was being detained.
"But still they were kind. They ran me through the best bits of the potential prison I was almost spending Christmas in, every cloud etc!
"I even had a laugh with the immigration officers in the end. Oddly excited for the reunion when I leave.
"Please everyone check your passports I didn't realise that 2 pages had fallen out of the centre. SO SO traumatised but grateful thank you thank you thank you.
"Toff's Christmas is back on. On that note wonder what I would have got on Christmas Day in the detention centre? Trying to make light of it but it was a really horrible experience."
Original: Made in Chelsea and former I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo has experienced the pain of travelling at Christmas time, except instead of facing cancellations, she has run into issues because of her passport.
The reality star tweeted earlier today (December 22) that: "I have been detained at Male airport for a page missing on my passport. I am very scared I don't know what else to do I have been here for hours.
"I am not allowed to board a flight home because of my damaged passport but I am also not allowed to leave the airport. Please help."
Related: Made in Chelsea makes big change for new series
In a further tweet and on her Instagram Stories, Toff claimed that she had been moved from the departure lounge to a 'detention centre' and her requests to speak to a British ambassador or a consular were denied.
A visibly upset Toff asked her followers for advice and questioned if what was happening to her was even legal.
Since then, the British ambassador for the Maldives, Caron Rohsler has reached out to Toff on Twitter and stated that "Consular assistance is being provided & I am confident you will soon be enjoying all the delights that Maldives has to offer."
Made in Chelsea airs on E4.
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