Pals help Jacques as Love Island chiefs are accused of not caring
Rugby club set to give support
JACQUES O’Neill has been offered welfare support from his old rugby league club after quitting Love Island to care for his mental health.
The 23-year-old, who was embroiled in a row with Adam Collard over his partner Paige Thorne, visited Castleford Tigers on his return to the UK.
The club said: “Our primary focus with Jacques will be to support him.”
Castleford coach Lee Radford added: “The boys were really pleased to see him. Like any walk of life, there are obstacles in front of you. Making sure people are around you, whether that be your family or club-related, to help you deal with that is pretty important.”
The move comes amid concern from viewers for the rugby player, who left the club to join the ITV2 reality show as a surprise guest where ex-girlfriend Gemma Owen, 19, is a contestant. Some viewers accused show producers of “over-stepping the line” with the controversial return of Adam. The 26-year-old personal trainer, who had appeared in the show in 2018, had promised to “ruffle feathers”. Users claimed on social media that bosses had not shown enough “care” for the wellbeing of contestants. Jacques broke down following the show dispute – days after his family revealed he suffers from ADHD. He was troubled in his last few days in the villa and said he wanted to leave to concentrate on his mental health.
Jacques admitted: “Things are hard in here. I’m trying to put a brave face on but things are getting to me.”
His candid admission drew praise from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Spokeswoman Lara Waycot said: “Seeing a contestant from a popular show like Love Island talking about their mental health and choosing to leave the show for their benefit is admirable. Opening up about one’s mental health on national TV is a great step forward to normalising these struggles.”
Rugby ace Jacques had drawn criticism over what viewers claimed was his “misogynistic” behaviour.
Ofcom received 57 complaints last week, predominantly regarding him.
The broadcasters said prior to the new series they had improved support.
This follows the suicides of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis as well as the show’s onetime host Caroline Flack.
ITV said: “Welfare and duty of care towards our contributors is always our primary concern, and we take the emotional wellbeing of all the Islanders extremely seriously.
“They are fully supported by the professionals on site and they can always talk to someone if they feel the need.”
Things are hard in here. I’m trying to put a brave face on but things are getting to me JACQUES O’NEILL EX-BOYFRIEND OF GEMMA OWEN, LEFT