LOVE Island Ofcom complaints have soared to 1,215 as fans beg bosses to kick “controlling” Joe Garratt out of the villa. Yesterday, the ITV2 reality show had been the subject of 794 complaints since Friday – with a little over 300 viewers concerned at the treatment of surfer Lucie Donlan. Today, that number has risen again […]
LOVE Island Ofcom complaints have soared to 1,215 as fans beg bosses to kick “controlling” Joe Garratt out of the villa.
Yesterday, the ITV2 reality show had been the subject of 794 complaints since Friday – with a little over 300 viewers concerned at the treatment of surfer Lucie Donlan.
Today, that number has risen again to 1,215, although Ofcom has not revealed how many of the new complaints relate to Joe’s behaviour towards Lucie.
The surfer broke down in tears on Sunday night’s show after Joe, 22, told her off for talking to boys in the villa.
He said: “I’m not happy with it. It’s strange. I think it’s time for you to get close with the girls.”
Joe then told some of his male pals in the villa: “I hope today is the day she woke up and she will change.”
One viewer laid into Joe on social media, saying: “Joe is actually so controlling i hate it lucie deserves to be loved sorry for hating on you at the start xxxxx.”
Another added: “Seeing actual signs of emotional abuse on Love Island is excruciating.”
A third said: “Its actually becoming uncomfortable to watch how everyone is treating Lucie.
“I’d genuinely worry for her mental health.”
Domestic violence charity Women’s Aid praised Love Island fans for complaining about the scenes.
The charity’s Adina Claire said: “Controlling behaviour is never acceptable, and with Love Island viewers complaining to Ofcom in record numbers about Joe’s possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it.
“Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage.
