The shocking toll being targeted by online trolls has had on Declan Rice and his long-term partner Lauren Fryer has been revealed.
The Arsenal footballer, 26, and his childhood sweetheart, 25, were hit by a barrage of abuse from trolls last year, which allegedly included fabricated cheating allegations.
Lauren, who met Declan at school in 2016, also had her appearance routinely targeted by merciless trolls, prompting her to delete every image on her public Instagram.
At the time, it was claimed that the trolling and fake disparaging comments, falsely purported to be made by Declan, contributed to her exit from the spotlight.
Now, friends of the couple have allegedly revealed the impact the trolling had on the couple, particularly Lauren, who has veered away from leading a public life as a WAG.
Speaking to The Sun, they claimed the 'vicious' attacks left a 'lasting mark' on Lauren, who has barely been since in public since the ordeal a year ago.
'The torment Lauren endured because of those pathetic people was horrific,' one unnamed friend told the publication.
'She virtually lived in the shadows anyway, to then be attacked so viciously and with such fury left a lasting mark.'
They told how Lauren now carefully makes sure she is not pictured at public events, while her friends were told not to share shots of her on any public social media accounts.
Lauren is believed to be attending Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen's wedding later this month, but it is not expected that she will feature in any content on the couple's social media afterwards.
Her friends allegedly claimed she will never share any content publicly again, not because of fear, but because she wants to life a 'quiet life' with Declan and their son.
In a damning message to trolls, one friend added: 'Don't these people have something better to do? Get a life and stop typing out b*ks on your iPhone.'
MailOnline has contacted Declan's representatives for comment.
The Arsenal footballer, 26, and his childhood sweetheart, 25, were hit by a barrage of abuse from trolls last year, which allegedly included fabricated cheating allegations.
Fellow WAG Dani Dyer jumped to Lauren's defence at the time of the horrific trolling last year, telling Fabulous magazine how 'it was so hard' for Lauren.
She told the publication: 'It was so hard for her, the trolling, as she doesn't put herself out there.'
'I think it's harder when you are not in [the celebrity world] and you are being personally attacked. I found that hard.'
'She is a really good mum, who keeps to herself. No one deserves to be criticised like that.'
She revealed that the pair do not speak about the cruel incident often but that Lauren was supported by her closest friends and family when she needed it.
'So, attacking a girl because of what she looks like, in this day and age, I don't agree with it,' Dani confessed.
Liberty Poole, who appeared on the seventh series of Love Island in 2022, also jumped to Lauren’s defence amid the shocking abuse.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories: ‘I think she’s beautiful this is crazy.
Now, their friends have allegedly shared the impact the trolling had on the couple, particularly Lauren, who has veered away from leading a public life as a WAG.
'What happened to celebrating different body types and embracing how we are all individually made.'
'Beauty standards these days are unrealistic and everyone's gone mad because of social media.'
'I'm going to keep preaching about it till I die. Time for change, this can't continue.'
Their remarks came after a fake press conference was circulated online which prompted the deletion of all Lauren's posts on Instagram.
The post, which was completely fabricated and purported to relay Declan's response to disparaging questions about his girlfriend during a fictional press conference, was shared in April 2024 - just three days before her Instagram content was deleted.
In it, 'Declan' was asked why he opted against dating stereotypical 'glamour models and pop stars' in favour of his childhood sweetheart.
Fans of the footballer jumped to her defence after she deleted her Instagram account over negative comments about her appearance.
Lauren now solely shares content on her private social media pages and her public account has had every photograph removed, including the profile picture.
Declan and Lauren have been romantically involved for nearly eight years, but the couple prefer to conduct their relationship away from the public eye.
In August 2022, he appeared to confirm the birth of his first child with Lauren by revealing his tattoo during a game when he played for West Ham United.
He prompted speculation at the time that he had welcomed a son, named Jude, earlier that month by exposing a tattoo of the child's name and apparent birth date - August 7.
Jude's star-sign, Leo - characterised as a symbol of self-confidence and attractiveness - also featured within the delicate inking on then West Ham captain Rice's lower left arm.