The Walking Dead star Josh McDermitt has deactivated his social media accounts after receiving death threats from incensed fans over the actions of his divisive character, pseudo-scientist Eugene Porter.
The American actor, 38, divided fans following his introduction to the hugely popular AMC show as the hapless but ultimately well-meaning Eugene during its fourth season.
But after surviving Negan's beloved baseball bat Lucille at the expense of other, more popular characters, he infuriated fans by pledging his allegiance to The Saviours - the army of merciless killers and thieves responsible for their brutal deaths.
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Deactivated: The Walking Dead star Josh McDermitt has deactivated his social media accounts after receiving death threats from incensed fans over the actions of his divisive character, pseudo-scientist Eugene Porter
Eugene’s apparent betrayal, midway through the seventh season, has since resulted in a faction of viewers targeting McDermitt on social media
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Share 52 sharesPosting a video on Facebook Live shortly before deactivating his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, he expressed his frustration at being repeatedly abused and threatened.
‘Death threats? Don’t send me death threats because I’m going to report all that s**t to the cops. I’m just sick of it,’ he said.
Mixed reception: The American actor, 38, divided fans following his introduction to the hugely popular AMC show as the hapless but ultimately well-meaning Eugene during its fourth season
‘You can hate Eugene, I don’t care. I think I’ll argue that you’re wrong, but – you can think whatever you want – but when you start saying you hope I die, I’m not sure if you’re talking about Josh or Eugene, and I report that s**t, so… just don’t be an a**hole.
‘And then, let’s just stop complaining about everything on the internet, OK? Seriously.'
He added: 'Go spend time with your family, or friends, or loved ones. Just get off the internet. Is there anything else? Other than I love you? I do. I love you guys.’
While McDermitt is yet to confirm exactly why he has withdrawn from social media, it is thought that online abuse prompted his decision.
Close shave: After surviving Negan's beloved baseball bat Lucille at the expense of other, more popular characters, he infuriated fans by pledging his allegiance to The Saviours - the army of merciless killers and thieves responsible for their brutal deaths
Other Walking Dead stars to face criticism include Alanna Masterson, who was rounded on by cruel trolls for shooting her scenes as Tara while heavily pregnant.
Alanna gave birth to her first daughter - Marlowe - in 2015, yet still managed to keep up with the often grueling location shoot in Georgia.
But that didn't afford her any mercy from internet trolls, who branded her 'fat' - resulting in a lengthy tirade from the actress.
Captioning a shot of her daughter, she wrote: 'Dear Instagram trolls, body-shamers, and the men and woman who think it's ok to comment on my weight: I hope that you don't have children.
Barrage of criticism: Eugene’s apparent betrayal, midway through the seventh season, has since resulted in a faction of viewers targeting McDermitt on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
'And if you do, I hope you teach them about kindness and acceptance. I hope they learn that it isn't ok to make fun of people or call people names.
'I hope one day YOU learn what it takes to be a parent. A kind, selfless parent. A working parent. A parent that puts themselves in someone else's shoes.
She added: 'Maybe you can't get it through your thick f*cking skull, but nursing a baby for a year (and pumping in a van between takes, in the dead of summer in Georgia) is a lot of work, determination, and scheduling.
Not happy: Posting on Facebook Live shortly before deactivating his accounts, he expressed his frustration at being repeatedly abused and threatened
'So before you decide to make a comment about my chest being "too large" or how "fat" I've become, just know that this little girl got the best start to life. I wouldn't have changed it for a second.
'I would've gladly continued to eat enough calories to produce milk for her little bones to grow.
'Also, grow the f*ck up. Your mother should be ashamed for raising such a judgmental bully. I'm sure she knows how "courageous" you must be for trolling and hiding behind your Iphone and computers.'
In the firing line: Other Walking Dead stars to face criticism include Alanna Masterson, who was rounded on by cruel trolls for shooting her scenes as Tara while heavily pregnant
New mother: Alanna gave birth to her first daughter - Marlowe - in 2015, yet still managed to keep up with the often grueling location shoot in Georgia
She added: 'P.s. I would LOVE to see any man or woman give birth to a baby, nurse the baby, and then work 17 hour days and NAIL their own stunts.
However she did conclude on a hopeful note: 'P.s.s. Be kind to each other. We need it now more than ever.'
The Walking Dead will return with an eighth season in October 2017.
No escape: But that didn't afford her any mercy from internet trolls, who branded her 'fat' - resulting in a lengthy tirade from the actress in a lengthy caption alongside a snap of her daughter
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