Love Island stars claim producers ‘allowed bullying’ to happen following Ofcom complaints over ‘alleged misogynistic behaviour’-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro

The programme was recently hit with 1,500 Ofcom complaints over ‘misogynistic behaviour’ (Picture: ITV)

Love Island stars Billy Brown and Josh Samuel Le Grove claimed producers ‘sat back’ while Tasha Ghouri was subjected to hurtful comments made by Luca Bish and Dami Hope.

Media watchdog Ofcom recently revealed that on Tuesday July 19, the day that the boys’ took part in the annual  Snog, Marry, Pie game, the uncomfortable episode received 1,509 complaints from viewers.

Dancer Tasha, 23, was left visibly upset after Dami, 26, and Luca, 23, justified their reasons for pieing her based on her past behaviour.

After they both stressed it was ‘just a game’ Luca and Dami apologised to Tasha but their similar choice of wording left fans convinced that the producers asked them to say sorry.

Casa Amor bombshells Billy and Josh explained the extent of Tasha’s pain at the time, with Billy saying he saw Tasha ‘crying by herself.’

When asked if they saw any misogynistic behaviour behind the scenes, Billy said: ‘For me to hear that wasn’t nice because everyone should feel like they’re understood or someone’s there. Then it’s just constant, just negative stuff thrown at her and I didn’t like to see it.’

Billy (L) and Josh (M) believed producers should have stepped in sooner (Picture: ITV)

Luca apologised to Tasha after seeing her cry (Picture: ITV)

‘Imagine you’re in year 11 at school and the teacher’s just left the classroom, it felt like that kind of atmosphere,’ Josh added to the Secure The Insecure podcast.

‘A producer could easily step in and be like, “Listen, this is how it’s coming across.” Or, “How would you be on the outside?” 

‘I feel like sometimes they step in when they want to step in, and they will sit back and happily let something come across a certain way. I feel like we have a situation like that.’

Prior to the season eight debut, ITV published its extended duty of care protocols, explaining that ‘extensive welfare measures remain in place to provide support to programme participants before, during and after filming’.

Luca and Dami previously made their feelings known over Tasha and Andrew’s relationship (Picture: ITV)

‘Ahead of this series, contributors on the show will be offered video training and guidance covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions,’ the broadcaster said.

The welfare services offered to the contestants includes ‘comprehensive psychological support’, training on ‘handling potential negativity’ on social media and a ‘proactive aftercare package’.

During last night’s penultimate episode, fans saw Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti, Luca and Gemma Owen, Dami and Indiyah Polack and Tasha and Andrew Le Page securing their place in today’s grand final.

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But who will be crowned our 2022 winners?

Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV for comment.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

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