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Love Island’s Jacques O’Neill offered welfare support from former rugby club

Love Island’s Jacques O’Neill has been offered welfare support from his former rugby club Castleford Tigers.

The 23-year-old sensationally left the villa on Tuesday, and told his fellow Islanders he wanted to “get back to himself.”

The rugby player has since flown back to the UK, and was spotted at a Yorkshire shopping centre on Wednesday.

From Lifted Entertainment

Jacques’s former rugby club Castleford Tigers have the first option to re-sign the Love Island star if he wants to resume his rugby league career.

Coach Lee Radford admitted that he was unsure whether the 23-year-old would return to the club, however, they are offering him welfare support should he wish to avail of it.

Sky Sports reported that when asked about re-signing Jacques, the coach said: “It’s not something we’ve spoke about, obviously it only happened last night, he flew home last night.”

 

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A post shared by Jacques O’Neill (@jacques9oneill_)

Lee, who met with Jacques on Wednesday morning, added, “He looked jaded, he’d had no sleep, obviously all the euphoria of doing what he’s been doing, I suppose, that’s probably a conversation for further down the line, I think.”

“Like any walk of life there are obstacles in front of you, unfortunately, making sure people are around you whether that be your family or club related to help you deal with that is pretty important.”

The club confirmed in a statement that Jacques will be able to receive support from their welfare officer “should he wish.”

 

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A post shared by Jacques O’Neill (@jacques9oneill_)

The statement read, “In advance of appearing on the reality TV show Love Island, the Tigers’ welfare officer had communication with O’Neill, and this support will continue to be offered to him. Alongside the welcoming nature of our first-team environment, of which he has been a part since the age of 16.”

“Castleford Tigers’ primary focus with Jacques at this stage will be to support him. All at the club look forward to welcoming Jacques and his mother Janet to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle for a Betfred Super League match very soon, to cheer on the Fords.”

“The club will make no further comment at this stage.”

 

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A post shared by Jacques O’Neill (@jacques9oneill_)

Jacques’s decision to leave the villa occurred just hours after he got heated over a comment bombshell Adam Collard made about him.

At the start of Tuesday’s episode, the boys returned from a day out to discover 2018 contestant Adam had entered the villa.

Jacques soon found out that Adam had his eye on his partner Paige Thorne, but drama kicked off after Gemma Owen said Adam had “slagged him off”.

A heated Jacques then stood up from the firepit and pulled Paige for a chat, telling Billy to “f*** off” in the process.

Fuming over Adam’s comment, Jacques said to Paige: “Who the f**k is he? Just another geezer that has been on the show? He’s f**king nothing mate.”

Paige replied: “Alright, well keep that in mind so… you don’t need to rise to it and be like bitey with it. Like what does it actually change? Nothing.”

Jacques said: “You know what I get like, if a boy’s going to chat s*** behind my back, I don’t f**king have it.”

Paige said she didn’t like the way Jacques reacted to the situation, and reminded him that he needed to change his behaviour.

From Lifted Entertainment

Jacques was clearly rattled over the situation, and appeared upset as he went to bed that night.

The next morning, the 23-year-old told Luca he didn’t feel like he was being himself, and admitted he was struggling.

Soon after, Jacques pulled Paige for a chat on the terrace, and told her he was going to leave the villa.

The rugby player said he was going to wait for Paige on the outside, and urged her to enjoy the rest of her time on the show.

From Lifted Entertainment

In emotional scenes, Jacques then told the rest of the Islanders he was leaving, who were shocked by his decision.

Luca Bish, who had grown close to Jacques in the villa, was particularly heartbroken over his exit as he confessed he would have left with him if his partner Gemma Owen wasn’t still in the villa.

Despite Jacques’ behaviour over the past few episodes, particularly during Casa Amor, fans were in bits watching his departure from the villa.

From Lifted Entertainment

His decision came just days after Jacques’ family revealed he has ADHD, which means he struggles to contain his emotions.

They spoke out amid furious backlash over his treatment of Paige on the show.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on Virgin Media Two.

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