Former 'X Factor' star reveals he's quitting social media after trolls label him 'irrelevant' and 'worthless'

Former The X Factor star Jake Quickenden is taking a break from social media after receiving relentless mean-spirited comments online.

The 31-year-old – who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! just a few weeks after being voted off the singing show – took to his Instagram page on Thursday 2 January to explain why he was ditching social media. He wrote: “Gonna be coming off social media for a little while.

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“Honestly, it’s not been good for my head, only so many times a day you can get called worthless or irrelevant. I say it doesn’t bother me but sometimes it does, I start doubting myself and I’m just doing what anyone does trying to work to earn a living!”

He finished the post by thanking the followers “that are always lovely” and wishing them a happy new year.

Several famous faces replied to Quickenden’s announcement with words of encouragement.

Blue’s Anthony Costa encouraged him to “ignore them”, while Love Island’s Scott Thomas wrote: “Don’t let em drag you down brother.”

Elsewhere, ex-Union J member Casey Johnson urged him to “stay on” so as not to give the trolls what they want, and The Only Way Is Essex star Vas J Morgan added: “Sending you love.”

Read more: Jake Quickenden has 25 stitches in head after slipping in pool during holiday

Quickenden rose to fame on The X Factor back in 2014, after first auditioning in 2012, then joined I’m A Celeb alongside Melanie Sykes, Tinchy Stryder, Kendra Wilkinson and Gemma Collins.

He has also won Dancing On Ice, opposite professional German figure skater Vanessa Bauer, and had a brief stint on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks earlier this year.