Former Love Island contestant Molly-Mae Hague has defended taking a recent trip abroad, insisting she has not broken any coronavirus restrictions.

The reality star and social media influencer has been posting holiday snaps from the Maldives with boyfriend and fellow Love Island star Tommy Fury online in recent days.

However, following the announcement of a tightening of restrictions over the weekend, Molly said she had received messages of criticism from some of her Instagram followers.

Issuing a response on her Stories, she wrote: “In response to the messages I’m already getting about us being away throughout this time … Please understand that Tommy and I left the UK from Cheshire which was in Tier 2 at the time.

“We didn’t break any rules coming away. If we knew these rules were going to be put in place then obviously we would have never left the UK.”

Molly – who finished in second place on the 2019 series of Love Island with Tommy – added: “The minute we arrive home we will be following Government guidelines.”

A growing number of countries have banned flights from the UK amid fears about a new mutant strain of the virus.

In a separate post, Molly also said she does not understand why new Tier 4 coronavirus rules – which prevent some people from meeting up over the festive period in London and the south east – are being enforced “just before Christmas”.

“The thought of my poor nana having to spend Christmas alone in her house just absolutely breaks my heart,” she said.

“I’m thinking of everyone at home and especially my followers who are now in a Tier 4 category and won’t be able to spend Christmas with their families, like myself.

“We will get through Covid stronger … love you all.”