Movie night on Love Island received record number of Ofcom complaints for this year’s show

This week saw the return of infamous Love Island challenge movie night, and it has now become the most complained about episode of the show this year with thousands of complaints to regulators.

The episode saw the Islanders sit back and watch their own antics back, and since the boys have been called out for misogynistic and sexist behaviour. They have also been called out for blatant double standards when it comes to how they react to the girls doing similar things to what they think is just a laugh when they do it.

The main episode of Love Island received 2,481 Ofcom complaints, whilst Aftersun received a further 427. Nearly 3,000 complaints makes Sunday’s movie night the most complained about day on Love Island this year.

A spokesperson for Ofcom told The Tab complaints for the main show were related to “alleged misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants” and the majority of Aftersun’s complaints were related to “comments made about Ekin-Su, and the treatment of Jacques during his interview.” They added: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”

via ITV

The behaviour of some of the boys was so bad, two women’s charities have released statements. Women’s Aid said it is now in discussions with ITV over the behaviour of the men and said producers should step in when they recognise controlling behaviour.

Head of communications and media relations at Women’s Aid, Teresa Parker, told Metro.co.uk: “At Women’s Aid we are being tagged into a stream of Twitter posts, with viewers of Love Island highlighting the misogyny and controlling behaviour being shown on screen. This is clearly more than talking about any individual contestants, and a programme based around the formation of romantic relationships must have guidelines on what behaviour is acceptable and unacceptable in those relationships.

“We are talking to ITV, and they have shared with us information on their inclusion training, but what appears to be missing is specific information on abusive relationships and an understanding of controlling behaviour in relationships. Women’s Aid has offered to help, and we want to assure people tagging us into posts that we are in conversation with ITV and the Love Island producers about what we can do moving forward to help address this.”

Domestic abuse charity Refuge added in a tweet: “The misogyny and casual sexism witnessed on this series of Love Island is extremely concerning. The double standards, gaslighting and coercive control being displayed by the men in the villa is hugely problematic.”

During the episode, Luca accused Gemma of flirting with Billy, despite her telling him they were just friends. Luca said he was “fuming” with Gemma, and that she had made him look like a mug. Davide called Ekin-Su a “liar” during a heated argument, and Dami branded Summer “fake”.

Love Island 2022 continues on ITV2 at 9pm tonight. For all the latest Love Island news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook.

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