Love Island bosses address Jacques’ exit after fans suggested he was ‘encouraged’ to leave
Love Island bosses have addressed Jacques O’Neill’s emotional exit from the show on Friday, after fans suggested he was ‘encouraged’ to leave.
The rugby player, 23, quit following his rocky romance with Paige Thorne, 24, as he told the others he ‘couldn’t be himself’ and was unable to remain in the villa for the sake of his own mental health.
Bosses of the show have responded saying ‘decisions are down to the contestants’ after fans speculated over whether there was ‘more’ behind his decision to leave.
Love Island bosses have addressed Jacques’ emotional exit from the show after fans suggested he was ‘encouraged’ to leave on Friday
Speaking to Deadline, producer Mike Spencer said: ‘Jacques is amazing. We love Jacques. When you date, your emotions are naturally up and down. Finding love is not a simple thing, that’s why the show is so relatable.
‘Jacques was on his own journey and he had a strong connection with Paige but sometimes you have to think about yourself and that’s what Jacques did. We respected his decision to head home but I think he’s excited to be on Aftersun on Sunday to discuss his journey.
‘We’ve never had a parent who told us they wanted to pull their child out of the show. The contestants are all adults so it’s down to them more than anyone else.’
Emotional: The rugby player quit following his rocky romance with Paige Thorne, 24, as he told the others he ‘couldn’t be himself’ and left for the sake of his own mental health
Mike explained that they speak to the contestants families everyday and make sure that they are regularly updated.
Following their own departures from the show, Charlie Radnedge, 28, and Antigoni Buxton, 26, have defended ITV following Jacques’ decision to leave.
Charlie explained to The Mirror: ‘You get a load of therapy sessions afterwards and they are very supportive.
‘Obviously given previous years, where there have been well documented cases of bad things happening… from my perspective I’m completely fine and sound.’
Speaking to Deadline, producer Mike Spencer said: ‘We’ve never had a parent who told us they wanted to pull their child out of the show. The contestants are all adults so it’s down to them’
Singer Antigoni added: ‘I spoke to Jacques, he was in really good spirits. He’d just had enough. He’d been there for long enough and he was ready to come back to reality.’
Representatives for Love Island said their duty of care protocol is widely available.
It comes as Love Island viewers shared their theories about Jacques’ exit with some suggesting there was something not quite right about Jacques’ departure.
They went on to theorise that he may have been encouraged to leave due to his declining metal health or because of an unaired fall out.
Support: Following their own departures from the show, Charlie Radnedge, 28, and Antigoni Buxton, 26, have defended ITV following Jacques’ decision to leave
Checking in: Singer Antigoni said: ‘I spoke to Jacques, he was in really good spirits. He’d just had enough. He’d been there for long enough and he was ready to come back to reality’
One person speculated: ‘I reckon the producers of Love Island told Jacques that his MH [mental health] was declining & he should consider going home; with suicide being in mind re previous contestants; they have to be more careful.
‘I really felt for him & I truly hope he’s OK. It’s never nice seeing someone like that.’
Another agreed, and said: ‘The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that the LI producers and/or aftercare team spoke to Jacques & helped him come to the decision he made.
A different person said: ‘There’s obviously much more to Jacques leaving. I don’t believe it’s fully to do with him not able to be himself. Bit suspish.’
When contacted by MailOnline, a Love Island spokesperson said: ‘Jacques explained his reasons for leaving, which as we said in our statement & was seen on air was his decision.’
Reaction: However fans suggested there wasn’t something quite right about Jacques’ departure and theorised that he may have been encouraged to leave due to his declining metal health or because of an unaired fall out
While the show has been criticised by viewers, it is fair to say that they have a cohesive duty of care structure in place for their contestants following the deaths of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
Producers offer extensive care before, during and after the reality show, including increased therapy, social media training and even financial management.
Love Island work with GPs and psychological consultants to ensure hopeful contestants’ mental health are strong enough to take part.
Following the death of Sophie Gradon, who hanged herself at her family home last year, and Mike Thalassitis, 26, who also committed suicide, Love Island contacted experienced physician and Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Litchfield.
He independently reviewed the medical procedure the ITV show had in place to offer regular therapy to all contestants and not just the ones who reached out.
Now Islanders are also be given social media training and financial management to help adjust to fame.
Duty of care: Producers offer extensive care before, during and after the reality show, including increased therapy, social media training and even financial management
Lara Waycot, a BACP registered therapist told MailOnline: ‘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.
But while as a nation we’ve been more open about mental health, only 24% would seek therapy support if experiencing mental health issues according to BACP’s Public Perceptions Survey.
‘There are still a lot of misconceptions around therapy, and BACP’s “Therapy talks” campaign launched today aims to demystify these so people can take active steps to improve their mental health when needed.’
LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Paige Thorne
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.
‘I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now’
Indiyah Polack
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Hotel waitress
Who is their type on paper? ‘It’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that.
‘Love Island is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one.
‘I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.’
Tasha Ghouri
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
Location: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘My dating life has been a shambles.
‘This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time.
‘I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone and travel with them.’
Gemma Owen
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
Location: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer.
‘I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest.
‘If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
Andrew Le Page
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
Location: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Who is their type on paper? ‘When I’m with someone I’m very loyal.
‘I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
‘I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not? This is the best time to give it a go.’
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Name: Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Age: 27
Location: Essex
Occupation: Actress
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’m quite picky and I’m not just looking for looks, I’m looking for brains!
‘I’m looking for someone with intelligence, someone who can have good chats. Nothing like cockiness!’
Deji Adeniyi
Name: Deji Adeniyi
Age: 25
Location: Bedford
Occupation: Accounts Manager
Why Love Island and why now? ‘The reason why is that my sex life is amazing but my love life is awful. I am the master of failed talking stages. My love life isn’t going the right way so one night I decided to apply for Love Island and now I’m here!’
Josh Samuel Le Grove
Name: Josh Samuel Le Grove
Age: 22
Location: Essex
Occupation: Model
Why Love Island and why now? ‘I’ve always been single. If you’re going to find someone, it’ll be in a place where everyone is single and looking for the same thing.’
Adam Collard
Name: Adam Collard
Age: 26
Location: Newcastle
Occupation: Personal trainer
Why Love Island and why now? ‘I’m going to ruffle a few feathers when I go in.’
Dami Hope
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
Location: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.
‘When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing.
‘I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. I’m really good at being in a team’.
Davide Sanclimenti
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
Location: Rome (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘A lot of English girls actually love me.
‘They love to be around me and I love to be around them. I want to find my soulmate.
‘Find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family. ‘
Luca Bish
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
‘If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.’
Jacques O’Neill
Name: Jacques O’Neill
Age: 23
Location: Cumbria
Occupation: Rugby League Player
Who is their type on paper? ‘I think it needs to be the right person, at the right time.
‘I was saying to my mum the other day that I want a girl. And I’m now ready to settle down.’
Danica Taylor
Name: Danica Taylor
Age: 21
Location: Leicester
Occupation: Dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am the type of girlfriend that I want to do so much with you – deep conversations, silly activities.
‘If you say let’s go canoeing all day even though I am quite a glam girl, I am down for it.’
Summer Botwe
Name: Summer Botwe
Age: 22
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Events decor business co-owner
What are you looking forward to in the Villa? I think that I’m just genuinely good vibes – very goofy, very silly. Everyone will be fun around me. I don’t really take things too seriously. I feel like I might end up bringing some drama because I do want to go full force with Dami…
Coco Lodge
Name: Coco Lodge
Age: 27
From: Surrey
Occupation: Graphic designer/ ring girl/ shot girl
How would your friends/ family describe you? They’d probably describe me as a predator. I’m super flirty! I give off big energy and boys gravitate towards me and I’m always flirty.
Billy Brown
Name: Billy Brown
Age: 23
Location: Surrey
Occupation: Roofing company director
Why Love Island and why now? ‘I’ve had two girlfriends before, I was obviously going to try and find the lucky third one!’
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk