Exclusive
JOE GOES TO GROUND
Love Island’s evicted Joe holed up in a safehouse as show bosses brief him on backlash over ‘gaslighting’ Lucie Donlan
LOVE Island's Joe Garratt has been whisked away from the villa and taken to a safehouse after being voted off the show.
We can reveal the 22-year-old was taken away and briefed about the backlash that has engulfed the reality hit after he was accused of 'gaslighting' Lucie Donlan.
9
9
He was later pictured smiling with fans at a Spanish airport as he was flanked by two security guards on his way home.
Joe was eliminated from the show in scenes that were filmed yesterday but aired tonight after a wave of criticism about his "abusive" behaviour.
To protect Joe even more, ITV have cancelled the usual post-dumping interviews contestants have when leaving the show.
A source told The Sun: “Joe has been in the safehouse since leaving the villa.
“There has been a backlash against him and as part of ITV’s new duty of care, they’re doing everything they can to help him deal with it when he comes out.”
Love Island's Joe Garratt promises Lucie Donlan that he’ll wait for her on the outside as he's kicked out the villa
9
Show bosses have been briefing him about the wave of criticism, which saw hundreds of viewers complain to Ofcom after he gave Lucie a dressing-down for being friends with boxer Tommy Fury.
Horrified viewers saw Joe tell the surfer, who he was coupled up with on the show, that he wanted it to stop.
He said: "I'm not happy with it. It's strange. I think it's time for you to get close with the girls."
'Gaslighting' is where you manipulate someone into thinking they've done something wrong when they haven't.
9
Domestic abuse charity Women's Aid yesterday explained: "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."
Horrified fans also called on ITV to step in to help tormented Lucie, with a flood of Twitter protests and more than 300 complaints to telly watchdog Ofcom.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We will assess these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
9
9
Ex-Love Island contestant Malin Andersson tweeted: “Can the producers make sure Lucie is OK please?”
Other viewers laid into Joe, saying: “He is so controlling. Lucie, get out girl.”
Another added: “Seeing actual signs of emotional abuse on Love Island is excruciating.”
A third said: “Its actually becoming uncomfortable to watch how everyone is treating Lucie. I’d genuinely worry for her mental health.”
9
9
MORE ON LOVE ISLAND
Love Island bosses have been in daily contact with Lucie’s family to reassure them that they are offering her support from inside the villa.
Welfare team members have been on the phone to her mum to keep her informed.
A spokesman for Love Island said: “We have always ensured that the families of Islanders have the contact details of key members of our production team and there is always an open line of communication.
“We have always offered support to families where appropriate and when requested.”
Last night, viewers saw Joe and Lucie and Elma Pazar and Anton Danyluk put in the firing line after the couples were asked to choose the least compatible pairing.
Elma was picked to leave alongside Joe, with them seen wheeling their suitcases away from the famous villa.
Joe had made a last-ditch bid to patch things up with Lucie on tonight's show, telling her: "I've never met a girl like you. You're like a unicorn. I have definitely fallen for you. You will be my girlfriend, 100 per cent."
She replied: "You'll make me cry in a minute. It's nice."
Love Island recap - Catch up on all the action from episode 14 of the 2019 series
What has happened to Joe Garratt so far on Love Island?
- Joe was the fourth boy to walk into the villa and immediately caught the eye of two girls - Lucie and Yewande. Lucie was already coupled up with Michael but ditched him for Joe. Later Anton told Joe he quite liked Lucie and Joe gave him permission to tell her - but lucky for Joe she stood by her man.
- Poor Joe was left single after Tommy stole Lucie from him when he had to choose a girl to couple up with.
- When Lucie went on a date with Tommy Joe did not handle it well, with many viewers branding him "possessive".
- Things looked up for Joe when it was revealed Tommy would be going on a date with new Islander Molly-Mae Hague.
- When it came down to Lucie picking whether to re-couple with Tommy or get back with Joe, she chose the latter.
- Joe and Lucie enjoyed a romantic breakfast date where the catering company owner told her she reminded him of a chicken mayo sandwich... and they say romance is dead!
- Joe and Lucie then enjoyed their second date - paddling. The pair used the alone time to discuss how they really felt about each other. The result? These two are now exclusive.
- In episode nine, Joe and Lucie butted heads with Amy after she accused Lucie of spending too much time with Joe. The sandwich maker comforted his girl and made it clear that Amy's opinion doesn't matter to him.
- But he later cleared things up with Amy's other half - Curtis Pritchard - revealing during a boys spa day that she was upset by her comments about their relationship.
- In episode 12, Joe revealed he was having doubts about Lucie Donlan after watching her whispering to Tommy on the beanbags. He then gave her a harsh dressing down before telling her to become closer with the other girls. However despite their relationship hitting some bumps he still chose to remain coupled up with her during the recoupling.
9
Topics