Love Island Faces 534 Ofcom Complaints in Days

Love Island has been hit with 534 complaints over the past week.  

Viewers of the dating show have reported to the regulatory body about four episodes over the past week, following calls to complain over 'women-hating'. 

In Ofcom's weekly report - in which any show garnering over 50 complaints is reported - Love Island dominated with four episodes, while the only other shows were The Saturday Five, with 586 complaints and Alex Armstrong Tonight, with 257. 

Movie Night received a whopping 197 complaints, as predicted by viewers who alleged that Jasmine Gaziza Müller became a 'target'. 

Ringing in with 167 complaints was the boys' return from Casa Amor, which saw Angelista and Jasmine devastated by Simba Kudyiwa and Kavan Murphy's decisions. 

The episode featuring the now-legendary fight between Lola and Julia, in which the former told the latter about her flirtations with Sean, received 75 complaints. 

Last week, Love Island bosses came under fire for 'unacceptable, predatory and woman-hating' treatment of Jasmine.

The fashion designer and influencer, 27, has been at the heart of the drama due to her fractious relationship with 21-year-old electrician Kavan, who had his head turned by Irish internet sensation Charleen Murphy, also 27.

Despite Kavan returning from Casa Amor with Charleen while Jasmine remained single, viewers have insisted she has been given a 'villain edit' as many of the clips on Movie Night focused on her brief flirtations elsewhere.

Monday night's episode featured uncomfortable scenes showing Jasmine 'sobbing and struggling to breathe' in the wake of Kavan's betrayal, which led fans to claim producers are commiting 'psychological warfare'.

A slew of fans urged followers to contact regulatory body Ofcom to complain about Jasmine's treatment and how she's being depicted to audiences.

Sparking discussion around the issue of Jasmine's treatment, one X user penned: 'i think it is predatory of @LoveIsland and @ITV to target Jasmine in challenges to the point of a mental breakdown and film it and air it....

'I think todays episode went too far and they shouldve left her privacy. Thats someone in clear distress, do better. #loveislanduk... the way she was repeating she us a bad person, bad behavior, she will apologize is not normal. anyways.'

Last month, the show was slapped with 186 Ofcom complaints in a week after fans fumed over the boys' behaviour in the villa. From June 16 to June 22, viewers complained to the independent watchdog following hard-to-watch scenes.

Fans have been up in arms over Tommy's actions towards the girls' and complained his kiss with Namibia was 'forced'.

The Newcastle-based builder kissed Namibia and Ellie in one night, and even attempted to kiss Priya afterwards.

Many fans felt uncomfortable watching his desire to kiss Namibia during their conversation. Ofcom representatives said that the majority of complaints logged in June are related to alleged misogyny towards the female contestants.

ITV provided Daily Mail with a look at bosses' duty of care procedures, which explains: 'Programme contributors will be offered a full package of measures to ensure they remain supported prior to, during and after the filming period on the show...

'The Love Island Duty of Care policies and procedures are reviewed after each series and reflect feedback from former Islanders.'

Love Island's safeguarding has evolved over the years following the suicides of host Caroline Flack and contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.

Last year, the show was the most complained about across the board with one episode 3,547 complaints, another 2,509 complaints and one with 2,002 complaints, all in relation to the bullying of Shakira Khan.

The show's record complaints came after the August 2021 row between Faye Winter and Teddy Soares drew 24,763 Ofcom complaints. The vast majority were related to Faye’s aggressive behaviour during the fallout of the 'Movie Night' challenge.