ITV’s boss has defended ‘Love Island’ after the show was hit with 1,500 complaints to industry regulator Ofcom.
ITV’s boss has defended ‘Love Island’ after the show was hit with 1,500 complaints to industry regulator Ofcom
The network’s director of television Kevin Lygo, 64, hit back after viewers objected to scenes of alleged “bullying” on the latest series of the ITV2 dating show by saying there was a “risk” involved with appearing on television.
He added the only way to guarantee risk-free programming would be to ban members of the public from taking part in shows.
It comes after this year’s ‘Love Island’ contestants Luca Bish and Dami Hope were accused of ganging up on castmate Tasha Ghouri.
According to The Sun, Mr Lygo said in a talk at the Edinburgh TV Festival: “We are moving into a different era here and we have to be very mindful that there is a certain risk to going on television.
“It may not be exactly what you think it’s going to be as a member of the public, but I don’t think we should stop, because the logical conclusion is, ‘You don’t allow members of the public on telly’. That’s the only way.
“When you see the attitudes of young people and what they say, you could say some of the things that go on in these shows shouldn't be shown.”
Mr Lygo insisted “duty of care” to TV contestants was one of the top priorities for producers, stressing ‘Love Island’ contestants have access to counsellors during their time in the villa and when they leave.
Tasha, 24, admitted she and boyfriend Andrew Le Page were ready to quit ‘Love Island’ after being “targeted” during the show.
The dancer said she felt “backed into a corner” after having cream pies pushed into her face during a challenge, adding: “It was a lot… it’s such an intense environment and hard to escape. You’re stuck in there together. I was ready to walk out.
“A lot had happened in the space of three days and a lot of it was targeted at me. I was upset. I did kind of walk out. I said (to producers), ‘I’ve had enough’ and Andrew said, ‘I’m gonna go with you.’”
Ofcom received 1,509 complaints on July 19 about the show, the majority of - were about alleged misogynistic behaviour from the male ‘Love Island’ contestants towards their female castmates.