Former Love Island contestant Shannen Reilly McGrath has opened up about the challenges of online trolling following the tragic death of former One Direction member, Liam Payne. 

In recent years, the singer had been vocal about his struggles with mental health, a subject McGrath touched upon, noting that in many of his videos, it was clear "he wasn’t himself."

“As a fan of One Direction, of Liam Payne, and of Cheryl Cole, I saw it online, and the comments under those videos were just disgusting,” McGrath said during an interview on The Hard Shoulder. 

“It was heartbreaking to think about what he must have been reading or seeing in the press. I remember hoping someone was looking out for him because it was really worrying for us fans."

McGrath, who returned to Dublin after her time on Love Island, was struck by how much public attention she received, often from people who had strong opinions about her - some of which were negative.

“I think people forget that when they’re watching someone on TV or following someone with a platform, that person is still human,” McGrath said. 

“They sit behind a keyboard and type whatever comes to mind, without considering the emotional impact it can have on the person they’re targeting.”

She revealed that the pressures of fame had taken a toll on her own mental health, leading to struggles with anxiety and bouts of depression. 

“It’s incredibly tough to cope with,” she admitted. “Even now, it can still be difficult. You have to develop a thick skin to manage it.”

The circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s death are currently under investigation by Argentine authorities.

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