Love Island star Kady McDermott has been axed from switching on a town’s Christmas lights after a backlash from parents who thought she set a bad example for children.
The 22-year-old was set to do the festive honours next Thursday in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
But the reality TV contestant from nearby Stevenage has now been dropped after over 550 protesters signed a petition opposing her.
Love Island star Kady McDermott (pictured left, at the Lucky Logan premiere and right, out in London) has been axed from switching on a town’s Christmas lights after a backlash from parents
Miss McDermott, 22, was set to flick the switch at the glittering high-profile show next Thursday at Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (last year’s lights display pictured)
And following uproar on Facebook, Welwyn Garden City Business Improvement District (WGC BID) has sat up and taken notice.
The online petition was set up by ‘Parents WGC’.
Kady appeared on the 2016 series of Love Island
They declared: ‘What kind of example are we setting our children by having the girl from Love Island (shown drunk in this photo), switch on our Christmas lights?
‘This is a family event and it would be much better to have a local hero instead.
‘Give the money (that would otherwise fund her appearance fee), to a local charity.
‘Set a better example to our kids. If you don’t, we won’t show up to the event.’
A spokeswoman for WGC BID today told local residents: ‘Thank you for your feedback, we have listened.
‘We had good intentions to create an inclusive event for all ages of the WGC community.
‘We came across Kady through the Brain Tumour Research charity which Kady supports and has raised a significant amount of money for.
‘Kady has almost 1 million followers on social media, including many reputable brands and charities but generally appeals to the teenage population.
The reality TV contestant from nearby Stevenage has now been dropped after over 550 protesters signed a petition opposing her
‘We did not foresee such a strong reaction from the community and will be cancelling Kady’s appearance at the Christmas Light Switch-on.’
She added: ‘So, we hope you will pleased to hear that we now encourage you to write a letter to Santa for a chance to Switch-on the Christmas lights alongside Santa.
‘With so many of you engaged with this event we are expecting lots of letters!
‘This is a fantastic community event and we hope you will join us for an excellent night of entertainment and family fun.’