Love Island: All Stars contestant Luca Bish’s ‘heart wrenching’ breakdown was ‘upsetting’ for his family, who have defended his recent controversial remarks.
The returning Islander, 25, who first appeared on the ITV2 series in 2022, told host Maya Jama ‘You’ve not put enough girls in here for me’ after she asked why the fish monger was yet to make a romantic connection.
His comment provoked gasps in the villa from the female cast who were clearly offended as Maya replied: ‘You have so many beautiful girls around you, is it not enough?’
Luca, who was in a relationship with Gemma Owen for three months after they met on the show, sobbed during scenes that aired earlier this week, saying, ‘I just don’t know what I’m doing here.’
Speaking in the Beach Hut, he admitted: ‘In here, your emotions get the better of you’ after new arrival Tina Stinnes coupled up with Scott Thomas instead of him.
Now, Luca’s sister Claudia has claimed that he ‘can’t fake’ how he feels and will only progress with one of his co-stars when he develops genuine feelings.
Love Island: All Stars contestant Luca Bish’s ‘heart wrenching’ breakdown was ‘upsetting’ for his family, who have defended his recent controversial remarks
The returning Islander told host Maya Jama ‘You’ve not put enough girls in here for me’ after she asked why the fish monger was yet to make a romantic connection
Luca was comforted by his co-stars including Ekin-Su after he broke down in tears during Monday night’s show
Claudia said: ‘While Luca is looking for that instant connection, I don’t think it’s a case of being picky, but he can’t fake it and will want to have genuine feelings initially to be able to progress something.
‘We’re proud of him for being real and not faking it for the sake of it.’
Luca has so far rejected advances from Olivia Hawkins and Kaz Crossley but paired up with bombshell Grace Jackson who picked him during Tuesday night’s re-coupling.
Prior to Grace’s shock arrival he was comforted by Ekin-Su and Scott who reassured him during Monday night’s episode that he would find someone in time.
His vulnerability, which was praised by viewers, proved to be a tough watch for his family, who say they are relieved that audiences are finally seeing his emotional side.
Claudia continued: ‘As a family it was heart wrenching for us to watch Luca cry on the show, we just wanted to give him a hug.
‘It was lovely though to see the way his fellow Islanders looked after him, as well as the lovely comments and messages we have received online.
‘While it was a hard watch, we are so incredibly proud of him for showing his vulnerability, there’s so much pressure on men to act okay all the time and Luca does wear his heart on his sleeve, I’m glad everyone is finally getting to see this side to him.’
Luca was in a relationship with Gemma Owen for three months after they met on Love Island in 2022
Luca has so far rejected advances from Olivia Hawkins and Kaz Crossley but paired up with bombshell Grace Jackson who picked him during Tuesday night’s re-coupling
During a game on Tuesday night’s show, Luca was given a ‘friend zone’ sash by former love interest Olivia after he failed to show her any interest
Fans have doubted whether Luca even wants to be on the All Stars series, saying he looks ‘depressed’, with X users claiming: ‘I’ve never seen someone hate being on Love Island so much.’
The change in Luca’s demeanour could be a result of the backlash he faced following his first appearance on Love Island two years ago.
Luca was accused of displaying ‘gaslighting’ and ‘toxic behaviour’ during a fallout with Gemma in 2022 and was slammed by charity Women’s Aid who reprimanded the negative traits.
He was also blamed for bullying Tasha Ghouri after the Strictly star was left upset during one of the show’s games where viewers felt she was unfairly targeted by Luca and the boys.
And now Luca’s sister fears he could be overanalysing his actions as she insists he has learned from his past mistakes.
She said: ‘Luca does overthink and can get in his own head a bit sometimes, which is why in some ways although so upsetting for us to watch, it was good for him to get it all out.
‘He’s grown up so much in the two years since his series in terms of self-awareness, but his silly jokey side is still there, and he’s been cracking us up with his one-liners.
‘I really hoping last night was just a buildup of emotion and that he’s back to his warm funny self soon.’
