The aftermath of Love Island’s dramatic recoupling has sparked 196 complaints to Ofcom, the watchdog has said.
Wednesday’s instalment of the programme saw a number of islanders choose to couple up with other people, prompting arguments and causing upset in the villa.
A spokeswoman for Ofcom said that all of the complaints related to the fallout from the recoupling.
The broadcasting regulator is assessing the complaints against broadcasting rules, but the spokeswoman said they are “yet to decide whether or not to investigate”.
Many Love Island viewers took to Twitter during and after the episode to complain about the behaviour of some of the islanders.
An ITV spokesman said: “We have a duty of care to all of the islanders and we have dedicated welfare producers and psychological support on hand at all times who monitor and regularly speak to all of the Islanders in private and off camera, especially if someone appears to be upset.
“All the Islanders are therefore fully supported by the professionals on site and by their friends in the villa.
“We would strongly discourage anyone from following social media commentary that labels Islanders in potentially defamatory or damaging ways, especially when they have no opportunity to respond.
“Social media negativity is of course very distressing for their families to read, and we strive to protect them from this where we can.”
The episode saw Michael Griffiths and Amber Gill split after Michael chose to couple up with newcomer Joanna Chimonides.
Michael and Amber, who had previously been among the bookies’ favourites to win the ITV2 show and the £50,000 cash prize, argued over his decision, with Amber saying she had been “loyal” to him by not choosing one of the male newcomers while in Casa Amor for a few days.
Amber used an offensive slang term to Joanna, describing her as ugly, and Anna Vakili had a row with Michael over his actions.
Anna returned to the main villa from Casa Amor with new boy Ovie Soko, leaving her partner Jordan Hames single.
Curtis Pritchard and Amy Hart, who have been in a couple since the start of the series, are also at risk after Curtis confessed to having feelings for newcomer Jourdan Raine while Amy was in Casa Amor.
He kissed Jourdan during a challenge and said that he wanted to couple up with her, although she turned him down so Curtis stuck with Amy.
Amy broke down in tears after Curtis told her he was having doubts over their relationship, because his head had been turned so easily.
Former Love Island contestant Yewande Biala, who was eliminated from the programme last week, has said that she was surprised by the events that took place after she left the villa.
She told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I’m just really disappointed in the way he (Michael) handled yesterday’s situation, I felt he could have handled it in a different way, like he came in guns blazing, didn’t once apologise to Amber or even back what he’s done, and he was so quick to call her childish.
“It’s important to go with your gut, and if you do have a connection with someone else it’s also important to highlight it to the person you’re coupled up with.
“What Michael did was, he kind of highlighted all of Amber’s bad qualities to Joanna and then brought her back and went in guns blazing saying, ‘you’re childish, you didn’t open up to me’ and never once took responsibility for his own actions, and I think that’s what the issue was.”
'Curtis really shocked me…'
Former #LoveIsland contestant @yewande_biala questions whether Curtis has had a game plan from the start. pic.twitter.com/7oniTQcbbo
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 4, 2019
Yewande also said she was “really shocked” by Curtis, adding: “I’m still confused about how you can go from 100 to 0 real quick.
“He said to Amy that he’s been lying from the start, which makes you question everything really.
“Did you have a game plan from the start, how have you kept lying to her for four weeks? That’s a long time to lie to someone.”
Love Island continues on ITV2.