Love Island hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints over Movie Night

2023-03-01

Love Island hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints from furious viewers over ‘toxic femininity’ row and Movie Night drama which left male contestants in tears

337 Love Island viewers complained to Ofcom about issues which arose last week
Casa Amor created emotional scenes with Shaq Muhammad left in tears after his on-screen partner Tanya went off with another competitor, Martin Akinola
Latest teasers, exclusives and updates for Winter Love Island 2023 right here

Love Island has been hit by more than 300 Ofcom complaints over ‘toxic’ behaviour from the female stars.

Last week, Will Farmer and Shaq Muhammad were left in tears after the Casa Amor antics were aired on the big screen for Movie Night.

The broadcasting watchdog released their weekly figures on Wednesday. where it was revealed a total of 337 viewers had got in touch to complain.

266 of those were for Thursday’s show which saw a heartbroken Shaq reduced to tears after his on-screen partner Tanya Manhenga went off with another competitor, Martin Akinola.

Meanwhile, farmer Will Young sobbed after the women jumped to the defence of Jessie Wynter when he kissed another cast member while in Casa Amor – but none of the women condemned Martin.

Love Island has been hit by more than 300 Ofcom complaints over ‘toxic’ behaviour from the female stars

Distraught: Last week, Will Farmer and Shaq Muhammad were left in tears after the Casa Amor antics were aired on the big screen for Movie Night

For the episode on 23rd February, a day prior to Movie Night, there were 71 complaints, with most getting in touch with the regulator over Olivia Hawkins’ behaviour to Kai Fagan.

Olivia, 27, pulled Kai, 24, for a chat to ask him directly why he didn’t name her as most untrustworthy during the Knowing Me, Knowing You challenge.

During the tense scene, the actress said: ‘You picking Claudia was a bit of a cop out and it confirms you are quite fake and for me I’d much rather you just said Olivia this is why I don’t think she’s genuine rather than water under the bridge.

An unimpressed Kai said: ‘Liv listen, I can’t be ar**d with this conversation, I said Claudia because I can’t be ar**d with beef, I’m trying not to bite because i don’t want confrontation’

He added: ‘But if you are saying Kai this and Kai that then I’m done with it see you later,’ as he stormed off.

In addition, Ron was ridiculed and made to feel he was in the wrong for appearing to encourage his fellow male contestants to give new arrivals in Casa Amor a chance.

After the episodes aired, the show became embroiled in the ‘toxic femininity’ row after viewers of the controversial ITV reality series have been left fearing for the mental health of male stars.

Some fans accused the girls of hypocrisy for celebrating their ‘sisterhood’ but misbehaving in the same way as the men.

Anger: Twitter was full of furious commenters after the feud, angry at Tanya’s behaviour and that she made him cry

Oh dear: The broadcasting watchdog released their weekly figures on Wednesday. where it was revealed a total of 337 viewers had got in touch to complain (pictured Olivia Hawkins)

Tanya, 22, Olivia and Australian Jessie Wynter, 26, are widely considered the ringleaders in the villa.

Yet the women, led by Jessie, were shown to have done the exact same thing in the villa.

This year’s female line-up has been branded the most ‘manipulative and toxic’ in the history of the show.

One male viewer said: ‘I’ve never complained to Ofcom but I have tonight. Emotional abuse and bullying isn’t a joke – Tanya and Olivia need talking to.’

A female viewer wrote on Twitter: ‘I never thought I’d be siding with the men. Some of these women are toxic,’ while another tweeted: ‘Toxic femininity at its finest.’

Another wrote: ‘This women empowerment is too toxic for me. It doesn’t hurt to be self-aware, babe. And a bunch of you need to look in the mirror.’

An ITV spokesman said that contestants are trained in inclusive language and behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.

Love Island continues on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm.

Upset: 266 of those were for Thursday’s show which saw a heartbroken Shaq reduced to tears after his on-screen partner Tanya Manhenga went off with another competitor, Martin Akinola

Source: Read Full Article