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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

ITV Love Island slapped with thousands of complaints in one week as viewers' anger boils over

Love Island viewers have shared their anger by lodging official complaints. It has been revealed that thousands of official complaints have been made about the ITV2 dating show in the last seven days amid the annual Movie Night - dubbed Mad Movies - and claims of misogyny.

Earlier this week viewers finally got what they were waiting for when Movie Night returned to our screens which sees the islanders see clips of antics that have happened when the couples have been tempted by newcomers during the dramatic Casa Amor twist.

During Friday night's episode, Luca Bish watched a clip of Gemma Owen insinuating her head could be turned by another boy and flirting with new boy Billy Brown in the kitchen. Then during Sunday's episode the 19-year-old featured again in a separate “flirty” conversation with Billy in the clip titled Good Bill Hunting.

READ MORE: ITV Love Island fans convinced producers stepped in as they fume over Luca Bish surviving public vote

After watching the clip, Luca said: “I’m telling you now, I don’t even want to speak to her. "I’m f***ing fuming. I am not going f***ing near that bird mate. Bring me a f***ing bird in, watch me then flirt. Trust me when I say, if she wants to play it down to me I will f***ing explode. I can’t be with someone like that, sorry."

Pointing to his snake tattoo, Luca added: "See this tattoo on my chest, that’s what she is." After a frosty reception between the pair, tey eventually sat down for an, unsuccessful, chat in which Gemma told Luca: "I don’t think any lines have been crossed." In recent days, however, viewers have seen the pair back on good terms

Ofcom has now revealed that 2,481 viewers contacted the, on Sunday over the misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants. It comes after Luca’s sister issued a statement to apologise on behalf of her brother, saying they didn't condone his behaviour.

Luca's reaction to Gemma caused uproar (ITV)

Luca also came under fire for his treatment of Tasha Ghouri. He was heard saying 'Tasha who?' in clip from Casa Amor and while giggling with the boys, he repeated the comment with a smile on his face. He also got annoyed on Andrew Le Page's behalf as he appeared unphased by the clips of his now-girlfriend kissing Billy.

During the latest episode, which aired on Tuesday night (July 19), Love Island fans saw Luca and Dami Hope apologise to Andrew for their reactions to Tasha, with Luca pulling Tasha for a chat to apologise personally following a game of Snog, Marry, Pie.

A further 427 people contacted the broadcasting watchdog following Sunday's episode of Aftersun, the spin-off programme which airs weekly, to hit out at the comments made about Ekin-Su and the treatment of Jacques O’Neill, who quit the villa earlier in the week, during his interview with Laura Whitmore.

Jacques quit the villa in emotional scenes (ITV)

Viewers flocked to social media to share their concern for the rugby player as he appeared on the ITV2 show to talk about his time on the show and the real reason behind his sudden exit. Breaking his silence for the first time on TV since leaving, Jacques told host Laura Whitmore: "I needed it, I needed to see the rugby boys and my mum. It got way too much for me in there, it was one of those situations where I didn't want to be there anymore."

Jacques appeared to get teary-eyed as Laura asked about his bromance with Luca but in the same night as Jacques' appearance on Aftersun, viewers saw Adam and Paige share a kiss for the first time.

The complaints continued on Monday (July 18), when the regulator received 413 complaints relating to alleged bullying and misogynistic behaviour from some of the male contestants. Prior to that, 167 complaints were lodged following last Friday's episode, with viewers taking issue with footage of Ekin-Su and new boys George getting close under the covers during Casa Amor.

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