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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rose Hill

Love Island 2022's darkest moments - Ofcom complaints, toxic men to age gap drama

It's been another bumpy road for this year's Islanders - but the Love Island final is in sight as one couple are set to be crowned the winners tonight.

After weeks of snogs, rows and licking t*ts (or whatever), it's finally the end of road. But alongside the romance and drama came some complaints from upset fans.

This year, Love Island received over 5,000 complaints, which has led I TV boss Kevin Lygo to say that he will "sit down and review" the show when it finishes. Ofcom has not confirmed whether they will investigate the complaints or not.

The amount of complaints racked up this year doesn't come close to 2021's mammoth, record-breaking 25,000, though Women's Aid have confirmed that they are talking with the ITV2 show following intense backlash over misogynistic and "controlling" behaviour by some of the male Islanders.

2,648 complaints for Movie Night

Last year's first Movie Night sparked an Ofcom storm, so it wasn't entirely surprising the same thing happened this year... but for an entirely different reason.

A massive 2,648 viewers complained over the "misogynistic and controlling" behaviour of the male Islanders during the challenge.

During the night, the Islanders sat down to watch each other's antics during Casa Amor - though tension quickly escalated when their behaviour was exposed.

Love Island's Movie Night proved to be as controversial as ever (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Viewers watched as Tasha saw footage of Andrew getting up close and personal with Coco as the boys hollered in excitement, despite Tasha appearing upset.

One instance saw a montage of clips aired on screen of Andrew enjoying steamy snogs with Coco.

Laughing, Luca was heard shouting "Tasha who?" and "That's my boy!"

He later defended his comments, saying: "Mate, what we heard about Tasha... what, I wasn't gonna egg him [Andrew] on? Mate, behave."

Coco later admitted feeling "used" by Andrew, saying that she told him not to bring her back to the villa unless he really was interested.

Luca's behaviour during Movie Night was criticised by fans (ITV)

Ofcom revealed that 2,481 viewers complained about the "alleged misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants" on the July 17 episode.

That same week, 167 had complained over the first episode of Movie Night, which saw the Islanders watch Ekin-Su on a bed with George.

While Ekin claimed "nothing happened", Davide branded her a "liar".

Viewers were also left uncomfortable over Luca's behaviour towards partner Gemma as he raged after watching her harmless interaction with another boy in Casa Amor.

2,648 viewers complained about Movie Night (ITV)

The pair were recently seen having a conversation in the kitchen, when Billy placed his arm around her and Gemma told him to get off.

Clearly worried about how Luca would react, especially as he was watching them from the bean bags like a hawk, Gemma told him friends couldn't hug.

Despite laughing over the other moments - which involved most of the boys being up to no good - Luca was left incensed by what he saw and let rip at Gemma.

His family later apologised to fans for his "insensitive" behaviour and said that when he watches it back he will be "deeply embarrassed".

1,509 complaints for Snog, Marry, Pie challenge

Dami and Luca's behaviour towards fellow Islander Tasha has been a cause for concern for some viewers - including Gemma's own mum.

Things all came to a head during the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge, in which the pair were criticised for their nasty comments towards Tasha and making her cry.

Both boys chose to pie the dancer after previously making negative remarks about her.

Fans were comfortable with Dami and Luca's comments to Tasha (ITV)

1,509 viewers complained to the watchdog about the July 19 episode. In the days prior, 146 complained about the July 17 episode and 351 about July 18.

An Ofcom spokesperson told the Mirror: "The complaints were largely pertaining to the alleged misogynist behaviour of the male islanders in the wake of the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge."

Tasha was in tears after the challenge (ITV)

Tasha was left deeply upset after Luca and Dami's remarks, with Andrew and Paige agreeing that they had gone too far.

Sitting with Paige and Andrew, Tasha explained it wasn't the pies that bothered her as she was expecting them.

"It's the reasons after they gave, that was nasty," she said.

"When they are going deep in and personal attack on me, it's a completely story," she said, comparing the situation to when she pied the Brighton fish monger.

Luca and Dami later apologised for their comments, admitting that they were "out of line".

427 complaints for Aftersun

ITV was forced to defend host Laura Whitmore after 427 viewers complained about spin-off show Aftersun over her comments about Ekin-Su and the treatment of Jacques O'Neill.

Jacques decided to quit the villa in early July after feeling 'broken' and saying that he didn't feel like himself.

Ahead of his sofa chat on Aftersun with Laura, a clip was played of Adam Collard kissing Paige Thorne who Jacques was coupled up with and told he would wait for until she left the show.

Laura Whitmore was defended by ITV bosses (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

Bosses later denied claims that Jacques felt that he had little choice but to go on the show as it was part of his contract.

Viewers had also been riled up over Laura's comments about Ekin-Su amid complaints over misogyny.

Laura said: "Once again Ekin-Su swore that nothing happened with George and it seems Davide doesn’t believe her."

Love Island’s Jacques O’Neill has thanked fans for their 'love and support' (ITV)

She laughed before Tom Grennan added: "It deffo happened though, didn’t it."

Comedian Darren Harriott then said: "She said her head never turned but I think her hand might have turned, and possibly wrist."

"Laura is the presenter of the show, and part of that role is to pose questions to the panel and discuss events in the villa," ITV said.

"‘We do not condone trolling against either our host or our Islanders and any subsequent elevation of these comments," they added to Metro.co.uk.

200 complaints for Gemma/ Davide age gap

It's hard to believe that Gemma and Davide were once a couple, but the fact that they were caused a lot of drama with viewers.

The ITV2 show received over 200 complaints in its first week - mostly due to Gemma, 19, and Davide, 27, being in a couple.

Fans didn't like Gemma and Davide's age gap (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Michael Owen's daughter joined the show as one of the original 10 contestants, but Davide entered later as a bombshell and chose to couple with Gemma, stealing her from Liam.

Liam later left and Luca then chose to couple with Gemma - while Davide had his head turned for new bombshell Ekin-Su.

And the rest is history!

129 complaints over Adam Collard's return

Love Island was hit with 129 Ofcom complaints when notorious 2018 'villain' Adam Collard returned to the villa.

Adam made history as the first-ever Islander to make a second appearance on the ITV2 show and was ready to "ruffle some feathers".

His return proved to be controversial following his behaviour towards Rosie Williams and other women in the villa and resulted in domestic abuse charity Women's Aid issuing a warning about spotting signs of abuse.

Viewers weren't happy with Adam's return (ITV)

Women's Aid statement mentioned: "In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.

"Last night, Rosie called out Adam’s unacceptable behaviour on the show. We ask viewers to join her in recognising unhealthy behaviour in relationships and speaking out against all forms of domestic abuse – emotional as well as physical.

"It is only when we make a stand together against abuse in relationships that we will see attitudes change and an end to domestic abuse."

Yet after Jacques' abrupt exit, Adam's 2022 has been relatively quiet in comparison after developing feelings for Paige.

ITV previously revealed their duty of care protocols ahead of this series, which can be read here.

*Love Island final airs tonight at 9pm on ITV2

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