Love Island: Ofcom clears episode with 700 complaints over treatment of Lucie Donlan

Ofcom has confirmed it will not be investigating Love Island over complaints made about the treatment of former contestant Lucie Donlan.

Some 700 people contacted the watchdog about the way the surfer and model was treated by Joe Garratt, who she was “coupled up” with at the time, and other female contestants.

During their time in the Love Island villa, Joe asked Lucie to watch how much time she spent with the other male contestants, after comments from some of the women in the villa about not seeing her enough.

Ofcom said in a statement: “While we understand some viewers were concerned for her well-being, we think most viewers would expect to see emotionally charged scenes in a programme which shines a light on people’s relationships.

“We also took into account that the contestant received support from others, particularly following her partner’s departure.”

Joe had particular concerns about Lucie’s relationship with boxer Tommy Fury, who she later admitted to having romantic feelings for.

Before Joe’s departure, Lucie was left in tears, leading to domestic violence charity Woman’s Aid to speak out about his “abusive behaviour”.

Joe later told The Sun: “I didn’t manipulate or abuse her and I’m gutted it’s been perceived that way. I’d do everything and anything to help her as she had a hard time in there and didn’t get on with the girls. I thought I did right.”

It is one of several episodes which have caused controversy this series.

Ofcom has also confirmed that there will be no investigation of an episode which received 288 complaints, with fans saying that Anna Vakili and Amber Gill “bullied” fellow contestants Danny Williams and Arabella Chi, saying that while it recognised that some viewers “disapproved”, most would “expect highly-charged, confrontational scenes as the contestants explore new friendships and relationships”.

Earlier this month, Ofcom said it would not be investigating allegations of sexual harassment, over a scene in which ring girl Maura Higgins repeatedly attempted to kiss Tommy, which garnered more than 700 complaints.

The watchdog is still assessing another episode, showing the fallout from an explosive recoupling, which received almost 200 complaints.

The series, now in its fifth year, also received complaints last summer, when more than 2,500 fans contacted Ofcom over an episode involving Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham, in which Dani was shown a clip of Jack reacting to his former girlfriend entering Casa Amor – a second villa which sees the original islanders temporarily split up and reintroduced to new contestants.

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Before the start of this series, ITV announced an enhanced duty of care process for participants on the show, including a minimum of eight therapy sessions, following the suicides of two former contestants.

It emerged at the weekend that their families are also offered counselling.

A spokesman for ITV said: “We have always ensured that the families of Islanders have the contact details of key members of our production team and there is always an open line of communication.

“We have always offered support to families where appropriate and when requested.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Love Island: Ofcom clears episode with 700 complaints over treatment of Lucie Donlan