Love Island hit with Ofcom complaints over Jacques O’Neill’s treatment of Paige Thorne after labelling her ‘pathetic’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Viewers were shocked when Jacques called Paige ‘pathetic’ (Picture: ITV)

Love Island has been hit with Ofcom complaints from viewers raging over Jacques O’Neill’s behaviour towards Paige Thorne.

The media watchdog confirmed 69 fans of the ITV2 show had contacted them with concerns over Jacques’ treatment of Paige, who he branded ‘pathetic’ in the scene which aired on Tuesday June, 28.

The episode featured the infamous heart rate challenge which left Paige upset after Jacques’ heart soared for his ex-girlfriend, footballing legend Michael Owen’s daughter, Gemma.

Taking the result personally, Paige told international dressage rider Gemma: ‘I’m not gonna lie, I kind of did a little bit only because you guys have history and I can’t compete with that.’

The 24-year-old also added: ‘The guy I’m meant to be seeing still fancies his ex. I’m done. I know it’s a game, I get that it’s a game but there’s truth behind it.

‘For me, there’s no smoke without a fire. He could have fancied any other girl, he could have fancied Tasha, Danica, anyone, I don’t even care, but an ex? Like come on, leave it in the past, it’s not funny.’

Jacques and Paige at a happier moment in their relationship (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Jacques and Paige have had a complex relationship on Love Island (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Later Paige confronted Jacques over the results of the saucy task, with the professional rugby player claiming his night had been ruined by the girls ‘sulking.’

‘Oh f**k off mate, if you’re being serious… because you’re just being pathetic. I don’t understand how you can have a problem with that, mate,’ he raged to Paige.

Jacques then admitted: ‘Ok if I’m going to be honest, if I’m going to be truthful, maybe because we’ve experienced something like that before, it brought a flashback.

Paige picture during the heart rate challenge (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Ofcom recieved 69 complaints about Jacques’ behaviour (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘Obviously it would do, if you had slept with someone, you’re going to get them thoughts, right? And that’s the honest reason why I thought it could have been Gemma.’

Jacques later made a U-turn on his comments and apologised to Paige, saying ‘When you actually opened up and told me why, I was like ok, I apologise. I should’ve had your feelings first before mine.’

In the Beach Hut, he reflected further: ‘Last night with Paige, I was quite selfish at first – I realised that pretty quick when I spoke to her. I should’ve been there for her straight away.’

But despite the apology – spoiler alert – Jacques and Paige’s tumultuous relationship is going to be tested once again when they recouple at Casa Amor.

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Paige will be in for a surpise when she finds out Jacques has kissed Cheyanne (Picture: ITV/Rex)

Tonight’s episode will see Jacques playing the field, kissing newcomer Cheyanne Kerr on the terrace and telling her that he isn’t interested in anyone else.

Meanwhile, Paige declares she is ‘really excited’ about her reunion with Jacques. Let’s hope she doesn’t get her heart broken…

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

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