ITV have addressed the lack of subtitles available to Love Island viewers after a fan pointed out the “irony” as this series features the first deaf contestant.
Model and dancer Tasha Ghouri has a cochlear implant, after being born completely deaf and has vowed to give half of her Love Island winnings to a deaf charity close to her heart.
During Monday’s first episode of the 2022 show, the Yorkshire native gathered the Islanders on the first night to explain the implant and being born deaf.
The 23-year-old told her fellow Islanders: “I wanted to get everybody together. I wanted to find the right time and I feel like this is perfect timing, but basically I was born completely deaf and I wear a cochlear implant in my right ear.
“It’s just something cool that I’ve got about myself. It doesn’t define me. It’s just a part of who I am.”
As Tasha was met with resounding support from her fellow Love Islander contestants, a fan of the ITV show was quick to call out the broadcaster for not including subtitles in their live broadcast.
“Some irony of the first deaf contestant on Love Island being celebrated but ITV Hub has no subtitles on the live show,” one wrote alongside a crying emoji on Twitter.
ITV responded on Twitter, writing: “We're sorry for the disappointment. We're working on subtitle offering including on the live streams so watch this space!”
A spokesperson for the show also told Metro: “All Love Island programmes will carry subtitles on ITV2 and for catch-up on the ITV Hub.”
Ahead of the series, Tasha has revealed how she'd like to spend the money if she won the show.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press, she said: "If I did win the prize money, it would be a shock. My plan is that I'd give 50 per cent of it to the National Deaf Children's Society. That's been the plan from the start.
"I have raised money for charity before, so it's something I'd love to do to give back."
And when it comes to the other half, Tasha wants to put it aside for future purchases rather than party it all away.
Tasha also opened up about the "obstacles" she faced growing up because of her superpower, explaining: "I was born completely deaf and my parents found out at 12 months old. Then I got my cochlear implant when I was five, which is quite late on.
"I had hearing aids until I was five but they didn't help much. The surgery to have the cochlear implant took seven to eight hours. Growing up, I have come across a lot of obstacles. I had speech therapy, but those obstacles made me who I am."
Love Island airs every night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub.
