SCOTS Love Island contestant Anton Danyluk has become embroiled in a racism row on the day the hugely-popular reality TV show launches for a new series.

Calls have also been made for the 24-year-old gym owner, from Airdrie, to be axed by TV bosses as his mum rushed to his defence.

An image of Anton was shared widely on Twitter at the weekend by a young woman, Steph.

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It showed him in “blackface,” dressed as American actor Mr T.

Calling on ITV to drop him from Love Island, Steph wrote: “So Anton Danyluk one of the new contestants from love island has images on his Facebook of him in blackface. @LoveIsland @ITV get him off the f****** cast, I can guarantee none of us want this racist p**** on our screens.”

Glasgow Times:

The post has, so far, gathered close to 10,000 reactions.

Steph later hit back at Twitter users who blasted her for sharing the post.

She said: “The amount of vile p****s coming at me from this for what? Cause you’re mad you shouldn’t be painting your skin to look black? and you have decided that it’s not racist or offensive even though it’s not directed at you? Madness, grow up and educate yourselves.”

Anton’s mum, Sherie Ann, has stood by her son and has reportedly said he would be “mortified to be labelled in such a away.”

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According to The Sun, she added: “Given that Anton has no right to reply, I wanted to take the opportunity to assure everyone that my son, who himself is mixed heritage, is not a racist.

“As his mother, I know he would be mortified to be labelled in such a way, and would wholeheartedly apologise to anyone offended by this picture.

“There was absolutely no racist intent and, almost six years down the line, I know it’s not the way Anton would ever behave today.”

Love Island starts at 9pm on ITV2.