Love Island received more than 5,000 complaints last week, with claims an episode “misled” female contestants after they were sent images showing their partners appearing to be unfaithful.
Viewers said a postcard sent to female contestants during the show’s Casa Amor week – in which couples are separated into different villas – showing their partners cheating “caused unnecessary distress”.
One image showed Teddy Soares kissing another girl, despite being partnered up with Faye Winter, but the card did not clarify the picture was taken during a game of dares.
Aside from the game, he had remained faithful and avoided any advances by sleeping outside of Casa Amor each night.
However, it prompted Faye to return to the villa with new boy Sam Jackson. She has since rekindled her romance with Teddy.
Ofcom received 4,330 complaints about the episode on 28 July, during which the postcard arrived.
The broadcasting watchdog subsequently received 103 complaints on 29 July, with 56 objecting to the ongoing fallout from Casa Amor and 37 to the episode being left on a cliffhanger.
The 30 July episode prompted 699 complaints, the majority about the alleged “manipulation of Faye and Teddy” following the arrival of the postcard.
Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
The treatment of Millie Court on 1 August, who discovered Liam Reardon had been unfaithful to her while in Casa Amor, prompted 95 viewers to complain.
The mental health of the Love Island participants has come under scrutiny following the deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis in 2018 and 2019.
Contestants will be offered “comprehensive psychological support”, “detailed conversations on the impact of participation on the show” and a “proactive aftercare package”, ITV has said.