Love Island has received 1,507 Ofcom complaints in two days, after Danny Bibby entered the villa.
Complaints to the regulator have more than doubled since the 25-year-old plumber from Wigan hit screens last week.
Fans have called for him to be removed from the hit ITV show after it was revealed he used the ‘n-word’ in an old social media post.
A total 1,081 Ofcom complaints were made against Love Island on July 15, the day Danny first appeared on the Spanish island.
Three days later, another 426 complaints were lodged when Jay-Z and Kanye West’s song N***** in Paris was used as a soundtrack for Danny following the race row.
Before new boy Danny’s arrival, Love Island had received a total 632 Ofcom complaints since its launch on June 28.
An eagle-eye viewer spotted an offensive comment posted from Danny’s Instagram account in 2019, sparking calls for the islander to be axed.
The clothing brand owner apologised in a statement released via ITV last week.
It read: “I’d like to take the time to apologise to anyone that may have taken offence to my inappropriate remark.
“I never meant anything malicious by this comment at all. I am not a racist person and it’s unacceptable language and ignorant.
“I meant no offence and feel like I have really learnt from my mistakes and will never use that word again. I am a kind, loving person and hopefully you get to see that in the show.”
Danny’s father Richard previously defended his son and said he “does not have a racist bone in his body.”
Meanwhile, some fans were unimpressed by a song played during Sunday’s episode following the incident.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer said: “Please don’t forget to report ITV to Ofcom for playing N***** in Paris at the start of the show.”
Another tweeted: “The opening song for tonight’s #LoveIsland is N***** in Paris after everything that’s happened with Danny? In the middle of BLM?”
Love Island Ofcom complaints
June 30 |
July 6 |
July 8 |
July 12 |
July 15 |
July 18 |
91 |
182 |
267 |
92 |
1,081 |
426 |
Ofcom said it does not publish information on any individuals that a complaint might refer to and the number of complaints received does not indicate how serious an issue might be.
A Love Island spokesperson said they have nothing to add at this time.
