Geordie Shore's Sam Gowland discusses missing Jay Slater 'sighting'

Geordie Shore alumnus Sam Gowland has taken to his Instagram to discuss Jay Slater, the 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer who went missing in Tenerife earlier this month.

Jay went missing on the island on June 17, after telling a friend he was lost in the mountains and had 1% battery on his phone. His last known location was Teno Rural Park in the north, about an 11-hour walk from his home.

On his Instagram account, Sam, who appeared on the third season of Love Island, began discussing theories about Jay's whereabouts, before talking about sightings he had seen online. “I've completely lost my mind now, with the whole Jay Slater disappearance thing,” he began.

“I saw today, while searching TikTok and watching the news, that he was apparently spotted near a church.” Sam said he saw the video in question and, in his opinion, thinks “it could be him.”

He then claimed to have seen another video in which someone was in the woods, saying they were “suspiciously wearing the same clothes.”

“I hope and pray that he is found alive,” Sam continued. “But what is happening? asked the reality TV star.

However, many fans were unimpressed with Sam's video, saying it was in “bad taste”.

“This is in very poor taste. Using it for influence,” wrote one disappointed fan.

Others were confused by Sam saying he was “researching TikTok.” However, the Geordie Shore star reiterated in the comments that he hoped the teenager would be found safe.

“I hope he was found safe and sound!” he wrote, followed by: “I can't believe this is happening!”

Earlier this week, ITV daytime show This Morning was “slammed” online after one of its stars travelled to Tenerife to join the search for the teenager.

Crime reporter Isla Traquair reported live from the scene of the teenager's disappearance. Her report included footage of the Airbnb where apprentice mason Jay was last seen, as well as the route he allegedly took after deciding not to wait for the bus.

“Yesterday in #thismorning Isla Tarquair criticized amateur detectives who went to the location where #jayslater disappeared in Tenerife, interfering and obstructing police efforts. Today Isla is in Tenerife and goes to the place where Jay Slater disappeared??” wrote one fan.

Another said: “Wait, yesterday the TikTok people going to Tenerife were in the way, but is it okay to send yet another journalist there?

Isla suggested that Jay might have taken a shortcut through hilly undergrowth to try to get back to his accommodation after deciding not to wait for the bus.