Entertainment
Love Island hit with over 200 Ofcom complaints over Gemma Owen, 19, and Davide Sanclimenti, 27, kiss amid backlash over age gap-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro
Viewers have debated whether Gemma was too young to be romantically involved with Davide.
The kiss between Gemma Owen and Davide Sanclimenti aired on Love Island’s June 7 episode (Picture: ITV)
Love Island has reportedly received more than 200 Ofcom complaints from viewers outraged by the age gap between Gemma Owen and David Sanclimenti.
The ITV2 dating series returned on June 6 and the first episodes focused on the blossoming romance between Gemma, who is daughter of footballer Michael Owen, and Italian heartthrob David.
However, the eight-year age difference between the two has sparked an ongoing debate as many felt Gemma, 19, was too young for David, 27.
Ofcom has now released its list of complaints for the past week, showing that Love Island received 167 complaints for its June 7 episode, which featured a kiss between Gemma and Davide.
It also earned 93 complaints for its June 12 episode which, again, appeared to be in relation to the controversy surrounding the contestants’ ages.
In one episode, the two addressed the potential issue, with Davide saying as they chatted beside the pool: ‘What do you think about the fact that I am much older than you? I mean, you are not bothered by that?’
Many viewers felt the kiss between Gemma, 19, and Davide, 27, was inappropriate (Picture: ITV)
Davide asked Gemma if she felt uncomfortable with there being eight years between them (Picture: Rex Features)
However, Gemma said she was unbothered and happy to crack on with the Italian heartthrob (Picture: Rex Features)
Gemma replied: ‘No, it’s not an issue for me at all. I feel like if it was I wouldn’t have wanted to get to know you in the first place.
‘And, as I’ve said, I have been speaking to guys and seeing guys that are much older. It’s not something that I’m not used to or that you’re the only one or anything like that, it’s very normal for me.’
When Gemma asked Davide the same question, he explained: ‘For me, it’s not an issue about the age. I actually think sometimes you are more mature than me.’
Viewers have discussed the age gap in their droves, with one commenting during an earlier episode: ‘If Gemma is paired with someone above the age of 25 I’m gonna file a complaint with OFCOM.’
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Another joined in: ‘All I know is someone better tell Davide Gemma’s age before he picks her because it might be problematic for him on the outside.’
Davide chose to couple up with Gemma after he walked in as a bombshell on day one, despite her being paired with former contestant Liam Llewellyn.
However, the love triangle turned into a square when Luka Bish revealed he fancied Gemma and later chose to couple up with her, leaving Davide to choose Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu who he also had a romantic connection with.
More: Love Island
However, trouble is in paradise for both couples as Luka fumed in last night’s episode when Gemma accidentally called him by her ex-boyfriend Jacques O‘Neill’s name with him also being in the villa, while Ekin-Su fears the spark has gone between her and Davide and complained he wasn’t making effort to build more of a connection with her.
Love Island airs weeknights at 9pm on ITV2.
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What is Ofcom and what does it cover?
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.
The watchdog makes sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.
Ofcom deals with most content on television, radio and video-on-demand services, including the BBC. However, if your complaint is about something you saw or heard in a BBC programme, you may need to complain to the BBC first.
Its rules for television and radio programmes are set out in the Broadcasting Code.
The rules in the Broadcasting Code also apply to the BBC iPlayer.
This Broadcasting Code is the rule book that broadcasters have to follow and it covers a number of areas, including; protecting the under-18s, protecting audiences from harmful and/or offensive material and ensuring that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
Audiences can complain to Ofcom if they believe a breach of the Broadcasting Code has been made.
Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, they assess it to see if it needs further investigation.
If Ofcom decide to investigate, they will include the case in a list of new investigations, published in the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin.
An investigation is a formal process which can take some time depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
Ofcom can also launch investigations in the absence of a complaint from a viewer or listener.
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