‘Love Island’ receives over 781 complaints in four weeks

Reality TV

Some people have no love for this season of “Love Island.”

The British reality show has received over 781 complaints since its premiere on June 6, according to Variety.

“So far we have received a total of 781 complaints about the current season of ‘Love Island,’” a spokesperson for Ofcom, a UK media regulator, told the outlet on Tuesday.

Viewers have specifically expressed concerns about “bullying on the show, contestants’ wellbeing and mental health, certain contestants getting more screen time than others and the age gap between contestants on the dating show,” the outlet reports.

Fans seem particularly perturbed by Gemma Owen’s ample screen time with many viewers even dubbing Season 8 “The Gemma Show.” 

The 19-year-old daughter of former England soccer star Michael Owen ignited a social media firestorm after coupling up with Davide Sanclimenti, a man eight years her senior, toward the beginning of the season. 

Gemma Owen poses for a promo shot for "Love Island" Season 8
Gemma Owen, 19, has commanded plenty of screen time on Season 8 of the British reality show.
ITV

“ewwww i’m sorry but why does davide as a 27 year old want to be coupled up with a 19 year old,” one viewer wrote on Twitter last month.

Another added, “Keep gemma away from davide. she’s a teenager and he is nearly 30 i am not here for it.”

Spoiler alert. The pair has since “re-coupled” with other contestants. Sidestepping a polarizing age gap, Gemma is presently coupled up with 23-year-old Luca Bish. 

Davide Sanclimenti poses for a "Love Island" Season 8 promo shot
Viewers took issue with Owen coupling up with 27-year-old Davide Sanclimenti at the start of the season.
ITV

Sadly, this isn’t the first time “Love Island” has been hit with an influx of viewer complaints. Per Variety, Season 7 drew a record 25,000 with many of them about a contentious argument between contestants Faye Winter and Teddy Soares. 

The show – which features a six-night-a-week broadcast schedule – has faced prior scrutiny following the deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis by suicide, as well as host Caroline Flack

The deaths have launched conversations about the impact “Love Island” has on its participants’ mental health. In response, ITV – the network on which the series airs – now provides contestants with mental health services, among other support.

ITV did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment. 

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