Love Island bosses release statement after viewers express concern for Lucie

From Cosmopolitan

Love Island's Lucie Donlan started off this year's series just as full-of-life as everybody else, excited about what - and who - the next eight weeks might hold. But after a series of run-ins with fellow contestants, Lucie has been seen crying and appearing generally subdued in recent episodes.

It all started when Islander Amy Hart noticed Lucie had distanced herself from the other women in the villa. She and the other girls commented that they felt Lucie wasn't making any effort to spend time with them, which Lucie insisted was simply because she gets on better with men than women. But the comments evidently upset Lucie, who has since cried a number of times over the dispute.

Following that, Lucie's partner in the show, Joe Garratt, told her he felt it was weird she spent so much time with friend and fellow contestant, Tommy Fury, and that he wanted her to hang out with the girls more instead.

"The whole thing with Tommy, I’m not happy with it. It is strange. You were with him for a good hour," Joe said to Lucie in Sunday night's episode.

In response to Joe's actions, domestic abuse charity Women's Aid issued a warning about the dangers of "possessive" behaviour in relationships.

"Controlling behaviour is never acceptable," read the statement, adding: "Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage."

Joe's admission that he was having "doubts" about his compatibility with Lucie, along with his insistence that it would only work if she would "adapt to the situation" (read: change for him), upset Lucie further. Her behaviour became all-the-more mellow, and viewers expressed their concerns on Twitter.

Fans pointed out that Lucie's "fun personality" had all-but-disappeared, leaving in its place a quiet, dejected-seeming character.

Some viewers, including former Love Island 2016 contestant Malin Andersson, called on the show's producers to check on Lucie's wellbeing.

In the aftermath of widespread concerns about Lucie, ITV has released a statement reminding people of all the support in place for all contestants on Love Island. While the statement doesn't specifically name Lucie, it references the protocol for Islanders who are "upset" during their time in the villa.

"We take the emotional well-being of all the islanders extremely seriously," said a spokesman for ITV. "We have dedicated welfare producers and psychological support on hand at all times who monitor and regularly speak to all of the islanders in private and off camera, especially if someone appears to be upset.

"All the Islanders are therefore fully supported by the professionals on site and by their friends in the villa. This means islanders are always able to reach out and talk to someone if they feel the need."

The statement goes on to reassure viewers that producers will "continue to monitor all of our islanders in line with our robust protocols. Love Island holds a mirror up to relationships and all the different dynamics that go with them."

Meanwhile, Lucie's mum has said she has no concerns about her daughter remaining on the show. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: "Lucie should stay on the show. We’ve got no worries over her what so ever, she’s very happy. The support given to her and us as a family by ITV has been amazing."

While it's nice that people are showing concern for Lucie, if her own mum doesn't seem too worried, perhaps she's okay after all.

Want more Love Island gossip from Cosmopolitan UK? Join our Facebook Group.

Follow Cat on Twitter.

('You Might Also Like',)

• A ranking of the very best hair straighteners - according to our Beauty Editors

• Best party dresses to shop in the UK right now

• 11 products you'd be mad to miss from the Net A Porter beauty sale