A Love Island producer has set the record straight amid rumours Jacques O’Neill was asked to leave the show.
The Islander left the show this week after entering a row with newcomer Adam Collard.
The show featured Jacques yelling at the bomb and calling him “damn nothing” after showing interest in Paige Thornewith whom Jacques was paired.
ITV later announced that the rugby player had left the villa, with a subsequent episode showing an emotional Jacques tearfully admitting that he is “struggling” and “finding it hard here”.
He added: “I’m trying to put a brave face on it, but it’s starting to get to me.”
while Jacques was supported by many viewers, others speculated that the star could have actually been asked to leave the show by producers who began to worry about his mental state after he lashed out.
But in a new interview with Deadlineexecutive producer Mike Spencer said this was not the case, Jacques left of his own accord and the producers “respect his decision.”
He said, “Jacques was on his own journey and he had a strong bond with Paige, but sometimes you have to think about yourself and that’s what Jacques did.”
Mike went on to say that Love Island’s bosses “respected his decision to go home,” adding that they take things “very seriously and we’ve updated duty-of-care procedures.”
“I think Jacques felt that his time was up and that we as producers have to respect his decision,” he said.
He added that newcomer Adam “got on well with many of the girls”, adding that it would be up to Jacques to “explain” whether that affected his decision to leave.
Fans won’t have to wait long for Jacques to tell his side of the story, as the islander will appear on Aftersun on Sunday to “discuss his journey.”
Jacques had told Paige he would “wait” for her on the outside and expressed a desire to be her boyfriend, but the 24-year-old is still in the dating contest — and it looks like her head could be turned.
Spoilers for Friday’s episode hint at a new romance for Paige with Adam, who previously appeared on the show in 2018.
In a preview clip, Paige tells close friend Dami Hope that while she and Jacques had “feelings and a connection,” there were “some bumps in the road.”
She adds: “Since he left, I feel like everything happens for a reason. I enjoy my time getting to know Adam.’
A supportive Dami tells her, “I love seeing you happy. It just seems very natural to you. It’s nice to get to know him.’
When he asks if there’s any possibility of the couple’s bond blossoming, Paige is far from ruling it out.
She reveals, “Potentially for me personally, I’d say yes. I don’t know what he’s saying… which really pisses me off.”
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.
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