Ella Morgan from E4's Married At First Sight has expressed her gratitude for the "love and understanding" she's received from fans, including a TOWIE star, after being subjected to harsh transphobic abuse online.
The 29 year old, who is the first transgender contestant on the reality show, recently announced she was leaving Instagram due to the intense backlash. Over the weekend, she thanked her 100,000 followers and TOWIE's Junaid Ahmed for their support amidst the hurtful comments. Ella shared a video of a lovely bouquet of flowers gifted by Junaid on her Instagram story.
"I'm not perfect in any way," she wrote next to the post. "We all make mistakes, but I don't warrant receiving the transphobic abuse that I have. My transition has nothing to do with anything. Thank you for everyone for the supportive messages, love and understanding. Thank you @junaidahmed."
Ella received a supportive note with a bouquet of flowers that read: "Ella, don't let the b******s dull your sparkle, keep being you, straighten that crown and get back out there."
She joined the show hoping to find her dream man and start a family, but things took a turn when she fell for another man outside her arranged marriage to Nathaniel Valentino.
After her secret connection with JJ Slater was revealed last week, Ella decided to take a break from social media.
She shared on Instagram: "I'm going to be taking a break from my socials as it's hard seeing/reading the constant abuse I've received recently, especially the transphobic abuse," and "By condemning me with hate messages isn't always the right answer, and two wrongs don't make a right."
Ella faced a lot of criticism from MAFS viewers after she secretly went on a date with fellow contestant JJ Slater, even though she was already married to Nathanial.
She confessed: "All I have been thinking about is JJ, I do feel a bit guilty because I know that it is wrong as I am in a marriage," and "I don't want to be that girl that hurts another girl. I don't want to be a home-wrecker but I can't help how I feel."
JJ, who was paired with Bianca Petronzi on the show, shared Ella's mixed feelings: "I have been thinking about Ella. I do feel bad but I can't wait to see her on my own. I do like her. I don't know what to do. I do feel a bit torn, I don't want to hurt anybody."
Despite both Ella and JJ saying they didn't mean any harm, viewers at home were quick to criticise the pair for being unfaithful to their partners.
Some fans of MAFS even asked for them to be taken off the show, following Nathanial's decision to leave because of the cheating. Ella, who told Nathaniel she'd been flirting with JJ when the cameras weren't rolling, has now said that she doesn't want the negative comments to affect her mental health.
"I'm only human. We all make errors and mistakes that we wish we could change," she continued, before adding, "I'm far from perfect." The former clinic consultant went on to apologise to those she'd upset, writing, "I'm deeply sorry to particular cast members and anyone who is hurt by my actions in the episode."
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