Malique Thompson-Dwyer has apologised after breaking lockdown rules to attend a rave.
The 22-year-old actor responded to backlash after he attended a rave in Nook Park, Failsworth, over the weekend, when more than 2,000 people broke social distancing rules.
Now, Malique has defended himself for attending the event after fans called him out for not taking the virus seriously, after he posted a video of himself walking through the forest where the party was held.
The actor – who starred on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2018 – uploaded the video of himself and some friends walking towards the rave and could be heard saying: "There’s a rave going on innit, can you hear the music?"
But in a subsequent clip posted to his Instagram Stories, he said: "Yo, I’ve just come on here to give a quick message. First of all, I apologise to anyone I may have offended, but let me just get one thing straight: I’ve got family members that have actually passed away from this coronavirus.
"So yo, I am in this as well. So don’t go on at me like I am not in this as well."
Despite issuing an apology, Malique has also suggested he’s been unfairly portrayed, insisting his "bad boy" reputation is unjustified.
The actor – who previously played the role of Prince McQueen in ‘Hollyoaks’ – said: "It’s funny how everyone is never saying anyone positive about me. It’s always bad boy Malique this …"