It is usually only an issue in cool, wet weather and you may find you'll still get some deformed fruit even with it removed. But as long as you can do it without damaging the fruit itself then no problem.

Dave

Thanks Dave.

I've been doing it over the past few days and haven't noticed any negatives yet. Then again, I've had so many tomatoes popping up over the past few days that it's impossible to remember which ones I assisted and which ones I left alone. They all appear to be doing great though.