Love Island slapped with 475 Ofcom complaints in just a week - and fans are fuming
Love Island has racked up a whopping 475 Ofcom complaints this past week alone.
The ITV hit series has viewers outraged, with a deluge of objections210 on June 26 and another 185 the next day. And it didn't stop there; an additional 80 grievances were lodged against the show on June 28.
Ofcom's spokesperson confirmed that Jess' controversial behaviour towards fellow Islander Harriet was at the heart of viewers' concerns, saying: "Complaints about all three episodes related to Jess' behaviour towards Harriet," reports the Mirror.
It seems fans have been flocking to Twitter to express their dismay over Jess and Harrett's frosty dynamic ever since they set foot in the Love Island villa. And tensions really seemed to escalate during last week's fiery episode, which saw sparks fly during a revealing game of Never Have I Ever.
In return, the dancer fought back and labeled her accuser immature. Ciaran could not let the comment slide and bit back sharply: "At least I haven't been second choice for like three times though."
Jess then added further fuel to the fire by commenting that people should never "dish it out if you can't take it". However, her stance was not well-received and viewers expressed discomfort at Jess's attitude towards Harriett on social media.
When the controversial episode was airing, one viewer, tweeted disdainfully: "Jess is trying to put Harriet down in every single conversation. No matter if it's straight up or subtle she's a bully."
Another dissatisfied viewer, joined the string of criticisms, tweeting: "Beginning to think the producers of #loveIsland are actual bullies too. Making Jess read out Harriet leaving is just muggy. She's a bully. What's wrong with these people?".
Since then, Harriett was given the boot from the villa alongside her partner Ronnie following the public's vote. Post-villa life has seen Harriett open up to Maya Jama about her and Jess's friction, admitting they'll never be mates.
She revealed: "The comments that she was making that I've seen now, I had no idea about, and maybe I would've taken a different approach if I knew what she was saying behind my back. But at the end of the day, I did have to put my foot down at one point because it was just getting too much."
"But I do wish her all the best, there's no bad blood." Meanwhile, the ITV dating show might be bracing for another wave of Ofcom complaints after the latest Casa Amor shenanigans.
Historically, the two villas compete in Raunchy Races. The challenge involves performing tasks as quickly as possible, often leading to steamy kisses with someone other than their coupled-up partner.
In the past, the islanders were left in the dark about who kissed whom, only knowing which villa won. This year, producers shook things up by spilling the tea on the kissers. The original girls at Casa Amor didn't take kindly to this new twist.
Nicole was fuming after finding out Ciaran had been smooching others, even though they'd dropped the L-bomb days earlier. With scant details, Nicole's seen distressed, worried Ciaran's getting close to someone else.
Back in 2018, over 4,000 viewers were up in arms when former islander Dani Dyer was reduced to tears after receiving a "misleading" postcard showing her partner kissing another contestant. Following the uproar, Love Island scrapped the controversial postcards and introduced the much-loved Movie Night, where islanders watch clips of events they haven't seen.
Love Island airs on ITV2 at 9pm and can be streamed via ITVX
