ITV’s Director of Television Kevin Lygo has defended Love Island after the show was hit with Ofcom complaints about “bullying”.
The broadcasting executive said there was a “risk” to going on TV, and the only way to prevent risk-free television would be to ban the public from taking part altogether.
Luca Bish and Dami Hope had both been accused of “bullying” Tasha Ghouri this season, with their behaviour drawing 1,500 Ofcom complaints.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Kevin revealed that he thinks it’s a good thing when TV shows promote “debate” and “discussion”.
According to The Sun, he said: “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.”
Kevin added that the duty of care to Love Island contestants is a top priority for producers.
He revealed that Islanders have access to counsellors during their time on the show, and again when they leave the villa.
Tasha recently admitted that she and her boyfriend Andrew Le Page were “ready to walk out” of the villa after she was “targeted” during the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge.
The dancer received three pies to the face from Dami, Luca and Davide Sanclimenti, after being accused of “riding Andrew’s coattails” to the Love Island final.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: “It was a lot – I felt backed into a corner. 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.'”
“Then all of a sudden the boys apologised…It was a bittersweet moment,” Tasha continued. “I’m a very forgiving person. I didn’t want to live the rest of the weeks in a negative way. I forgive, but I don’t forget.”
