Lucie Donlan’s mum has insisted her daughter should stay on ‘Love Island’, amid the 800 complaints received by Ofcom about her on-screen boyfriend Joe Garratt.
The 21-year-old surfer was seen on the ITV2 dating show breaking down in tears show after being told by her partner to stay away from other men in the villa, prompting a slew of complaints about his “unhealthy” and “controlling” behaviour.
And now, Lucy’s mum Cellie Donlan, has said she has “no worries” about her daughter and feels the blonde beauty is “very happy” on the show – insisting the support given to Lucy and her family has been “amazing”.
Speaking to MailOnline, she said:
“Lucie should stay on the show. We’ve got no worries over her what so ever, she’s very happy. The support given to her and us as a family by ITV has been amazing.”
Cellie’s comments come after Adina Claire, co-chief executive of women’s charity Women’s Aid, said she believes it is a “positive development” that people are highlighting parts of the ITV2 dating show to the UK’s communications regulator after hundreds of people objected to Joe’s treatment of Lucy.
In a statement on the Women’s Aid website, Adina said: “Controlling behaviour is never acceptable, and with Love Island viewers complaining to Ofcom in record numbers about Joe’s possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it.
“Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage.
“‘Love Island’ viewers are now very vocal in calling out unhealthy behaviour between couples on the show, and this is a positive development.”
On the show, Joe suggested his girlfriend “get close with the girls” and distance herself from her friend Tommy Fury.
Speaking about her friendship with Tommy, Joe said to her:
“I’m not happy with it. It’s strange. I think it’s time for you to get close with the girls.”