MUG ISLAND MELTDOWN!
Love it or loathe it, it’s the hottest – and most complained about – show on TV. Why? Becauseyou’reneverfarfromthenext...
WITH its steamy sex scenes, unique approach to language and what might be described as a tenuous grasp of the problems of the outside world, Love Island has become one of the most successful shows on TV.
But it is also the most complained about, with thousands of viewers contacting regulator Ofcom to say that, in the lingo of contestants, they’ve been ‘mugged off’.
And Friday’s especially risque episode looks certain to spark even more complaints. Viewers of the dating show, which features oiled-up hunks and scantily clad women lounging in a Majorcan villa, were treated to more bumping and grinding than a dodgem ride as contestants performed a raunchy lapdancing task.
Some of the programme’s 3.7million viewers took to Twitter to complain about the ‘disgusting’ episode.
This series of the ITV2 show has so far sparked 2,727 official complaints to the watchdog – up more than 1,000 per cent on last year.
The vast majority came after bikini-clad Dani Dyer wept after seeing footage of boyfriend Jack Fincham being reunited with his ex Ellie Jones.
Another controversial moment came when Adam Collard unceremoniously dumped Rosie Williams, then smirked while she cried, leading one devotee to rebrand the show ‘Mug Island’.
But such high drama is surely also key to the appeal of a show that has enthralled everyone from politicians to plumbers, priests to pensioners – and has prompted more than 7.5 million tweets.
And there is much at stake for the contestants, who are encouraged to pair up in a bid to win the £50,000 prize.
Plus, there is considerably more to be made after they leave the island in lucrative endorsement and media deals. Here are six explosive moments that have sent viewers into meltdown…