Love Island star Kady McDermott dumped from town’s Christmas lights switch-on after backlash from locals who brand her ‘a bad example’
Hundreds signed a petition saying Kady was a 'bad example to kids'
LOVE Island star Kady McDermott has been dumped from a town's Christmas lights switch-on after a furious backlash from locals.
Business chiefs booked the reality TV beauty hoping her social media fame would appeal to youngsters and boost trade in Welwyn Garden City, Herts.
But they backtracked after more than 750 residents signed a petition threatening to boycott the event claiming the reality star "sets a bad example".
Kady, who came third in last year's Love Island, regularly posts selfies in skimpy outfits and was involved in a drunken bust-up that led to the arrest of on-off boyfriend Scott Thomas.
The organisers of the petition fumed: “What kind of example are we setting our children by having the girl from Love Island 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.”
Locals also vented their fury online, labelling the choice of star guest “horrendous”.
Viv Owen wrote: "A ‘Love Island contestant is completely inappropriate for a family event - appearing with Santa, for goodness sake.
“It’s sending all the wrong messages to our young people about who their role models should be."
Tracey Delivett said: “A real hero needs the job not someone who won fame thru a tacky show and finds it funny to act inappropriately.”
Welwyn Business Improvement District, a partnership of town centre traders, unveiled Kady as this year's celeb button-pusher on Monday.
They said on Twitter: "We're SO excited to welcome beautiful Love Island contestant Kady @kadymcdermottx to switch on WGC Christmas lights this year #LoveIsland"
But they backtracked days later and have now launched a competition for a deserving resident to switch on the lights alongside Father Christmas next Thursday.
A spokesman said: “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 a million followers on social media, including many reputable brands and charities but generally appeals to the teenage population.
“We did not foresee such a strong reaction from the community and will be cancelling Kady’s appearance at the Christmas Light Switch-on."
Racy singletons' match-up show Love Island is notorious for couples brazenly having sex on camera and in front of other contestants in the show's Majorca villa.
Kady, from Stevenage, copped off with partner Scott Thomas on the the 2016 series, but their romance has been far from smooth sailing since.
In June Scott was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Kady at their home, and later released without charge.
In September we revealed Kady and Scott had called quits on their relationship yet again and were living in separate houses.
Welwyn Hatfield Council declined to comment on the cancellation as it did not organise the event.
We have approached Kady's representatives for comment.
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