We're just over a week into the brand new series and Love Island has already been hit with complaints. The ITV2 dating show burst back onto screens last Monday (June 6) with a bunch of singletons heading to Mallorca for a summer of love.
It's already been a dramatic time with the arrival of not just one but SIX bombshell contestants, an early exit, and a few couple swaps. And as ever, viewers have been flocking to social media to have their say every night from 9pm.
Now, they've made their feelings very clear about one particular moment in the show that left them threatening to complain to Ofcom. Last week, fans of the show saw Davide Sanclimenti, 27, become the first bombshell to enter the Mallorcan villa.
READ MORE: ITV Love Island fans fume as show keeps doing something they 'hate' with bombshells
With all his fellow Islanders already coupled up, it was up to him to choose which girl he wanted to explore romance with and within 24 hours of the public choosing each couple, the Italian business owner split Gemma Owen, 19, from Liam Llewellyn.
At the end of the second episode of the season, Davide, who is originally from Rome but now living in Manchester, decided to couple up with Gemma which meant he split up her up from Liam, in a decision that left viewers commenting on the age gap between the two. They went as far as to say they felt 'sick' over the pairing.
Gemma, who is the daughter of former footballer Michael Owen, and Davide, who shared a kiss during a game, addressed the age gap in an episode. Davide said as they chatted beside the pool: "What do you think about the fact that I am much older than you? I mean, you are not bothered by that?"
Gemma replied: "No, it’s not an issue for me at all. I feel like if it was I wouldn’t have wanted to get to know you in the first place. And, as I’ve said, I have been speaking to guys and seeing guys that are much older. It’s not something that I’m not used to or that you’re the only one or anything like that, it’s very normal for me."
When Gemma asked Davide the same question, he replied: "For me, it’s not an issue about the age. I actually think sometimes you are more mature than me."
It has now been revealed the broadcasting watchdog has received more than 200 complaints in its first week. The hit dating programme received 167 complaints for its episode on June 7 over the age gap between Gemma and Davide while the show received a further 93 complaints for its June 12 episode, with most of these also in relation to the ages of the contestants.
And fans of the show said they would do it. @iamamess_x tweeted at the time: "IF 27 OLD DAVIDE COUPLES UP WITH 19 YEAR OLD GEMMA OFCOM WILL BE HEARING FROM ME. #LoveIsland." @thatbishkelise said: "Ofcom’s bout to be blowin UP #LoveIsland."
Gemma and Davide have since coupled up with other Islanders. During a re-coupling in Sunday night's episode, Luca Bish opted for Gemma after the pair shared their first chat and decided they wanted to get to know one another. Meanwhile, Davide is now partnered with Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu after she put her cards on the table from the get-go.
