Love Island contestants secretly breaking show’s strict social media ban rule just days before show launch
A STRING of Love Island stars have been accused of breaking the show's ban on having official accounts run by their friends or family.
On Monday, ITV revealed the ten stars who will be this year's originals in only the second ever winter edition of the show.
Last month, Love Island announced that family and friends of the new batch of islanders are now banned from posting on their social media accounts during the show, instead accounts will be dormant.
All contestants have since changed their bio on Instagram to “I’m off to find love in the Love Island villa. See you soon!"
But just hours after the names were released, numerous fan accounts" began popping up on social media, claiming to be run by "friends and family" of the new Islanders.
One Instagram account is dedicated to celebrity makeup artists Lana Jenkins, 25, and claims to be run by her family and friends.
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The page has already shared a number of Instagram Stories and posts and promises "exclusive content".
The bio reads: "OFFICIAL Fan page for Lana Jenkins. Keep updated for all things Lana while she’s in the Love Island villa!
-EXCLUSIVE content from family & friends."
This was quickly followed by a similar account supporting biomedical science student Tanya Manhenga, 22.
The page again claims to be "managed by family and friends" and encourages fans to give them a follow in return for "exclusive content".
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They have already racked up nearly 200 follows and have done an Instagram Q&A, giving fans an insight into Tanya's "type", who they think she will couple up with and clips of her in a bikini.
The bio states: "Latest updates from the villa! Exclusive content! Loads of gossip. Account managed by family and friends!!"
There are also several other fan accounts in support of a number of the contestants, including a page made for Anna-May Robey by someone who appears to be her close pal.
The Instagram user wrote in the bio: Our girl Anna-May Robey has gone into the Love Island Villa to find love.
Watch Sun-Fri at 9pm on ITV2."
Meanwhile, there are several fan pages on social media in support of the contestants, posting various content.
In past series, islanders' teams used their accounts to encourage viewers to vote for them and build up their following.
However, they were often subject to vile abuse from trolls and there were even occasional spats between contestants' family and friends.
Love Island is also cracking down on gaslighting following incidents such as Jacques O'Neill and Paige Thorne's ill-fated romance that viewers found uncomfortable to watch.
The new rules package reads: "As part of extended measures to protect both the Islanders and their families from the adverse effects of social media, participants will be asked to pause handles and accounts on their social media platforms for the duration of their time on the show.
"Islanders’ accounts will remain dormant while they are in the Villa, so that nothing is published on their behalf."
It goes on to say: "Participants will be offered resource links to read up on, in advance of meeting their fellow Islanders, to help them identify negative behaviours in relationships and understand the behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour.”
The duty of care measures are being overseen by Dr Paul Litchfield and Dr Matthew Gould.
Dr Paul said: "The Duty of Care arrangements for Love Island continue to evolve in the light of advances in scientific knowledge and awareness of the pressures young people face in establishing healthy relationships.
"That culture of continuous improvement ensures that Islanders are well placed to benefit from their experience of participating in one of the UK’s most popular TV shows.”
The rule break come after new host Maya Jama touched down in South Africa over the weekend ready for the January 16 launch night.
Temperatures will soar to the 30 degree mark as the contestants trade chilly Britain for hotter climes.
Love Island bosses have scrapped the previous villa for this series and are putting the stars up in a luxury manor house.
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The sprawling Love Island mansion is set in millionaire’s row in South Africa and features an enormous swimming pool and even the traditional fire-pit.
The property boasts an enormous pool set in a huge courtyard with a large sunbathing deck which will welcome the wannabes in January.
