ITV‘s Director of Television Kevin Lygo has defended the show following Ofcom complaints about bullying and said there is a ‘risk’ to going on TV.

The broadcasting executive said the only way to insure totally risk-free television would be to ban members of the public from taking part altogether.

Luca Bish and Dami Hope were both accused of bullying Tasha Ghouri on this year’s series, with their behaviour in the villa drawing 1,500 complaints to Ofcom.

Speaking out: ITV's Director of Television Kevin Lygo has defended the show following Ofcom complaints about bullying and said there is a 'risk' to going on TV (Tasha Ghouri pictured)

Speaking out: ITV’s Director of Television Kevin Lygo has defended the show following Ofcom complaints about bullying and said there is a ‘risk’ to going on TV (Tasha Ghouri pictured)

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Mr Lygo said he thinks it’s a good thing when shows promote ‘debate’ and ‘discussion’ and said many people often end up apologising when they have behaved badly.

According to The Sun, he said: ‘We are moving into a different era here and we have to be very mindful that there is a certain risk to going on television.

‘It may not be exactly what you think it’s going to be as a member of the public, but I don’t think we should stop, because the logical conclusion is: ‘you don’t allow members of the public on telly’. That’s the only way.’

‘When you see the attitudes of young people and what they say, you could say some of the things that go on in these shows shouldn’t be shown.’

Controversy: Luca Bish (pictured) and Dami Hope were both accused of bullying Tasha Ghouri on this year's series, with their behaviour in the villa drawing 1,500 complaints to Ofcom

Controversy: Luca Bish (pictured) and Dami Hope were both accused of bullying Tasha Ghouri on this year’s series, with their behaviour in the villa drawing 1,500 complaints to Ofcom

Interview: Mr Lygo said he thinks it's a good thing when shows promote 'debate' and 'discussion' and said many people often end up apologising when they have behaved badly

Interview: Mr Lygo said he thinks it’s a good thing when shows promote ‘debate’ and ‘discussion’ and said many people often end up apologising when they have behaved badly

Mr Lygo added that duty of care to contestants – something which was hardly discussed at all a few years ago – is now a top priority for produces. 

He said Love Island contestants have access to counsellors during their time in the villa and again when they leave. 

His words come after Tasha admitted that she and  boyfriend Andrew Le Page were ‘ready to walk out’ of the Love Island villa after she was ‘targeted’ during the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge.

The dancer, 24, explained how she felt ‘backed into a corner’ after having cream pies pushed into her face during the supposedly light hearted game.

Upset: Tasha previously explained how she felt 'backed into a corner' after having cream pies pushed into her face during the supposedly light hearted game of Snog, Marry, Pie

Upset: Tasha previously explained how she felt ‘backed into a corner’ after having cream pies pushed into her face during the supposedly light hearted game of Snog, Marry, Pie

Speaking to The Sun, she said: ‘It was a lot – I felt backed into a corner. It’s such an intense environment and hard to escape. You’re stuck in there together. I was ready to walk out.’

Tasha continued: ‘A lot had happened in the space of three days and a lot of it was targeted at me. I was upset. I did kind of walk out. I said [to producers]: “I’ve had enough” and Andrew said: “I’m gonna go with you.” 

‘Then all of a sudden the boys apologised…It was a bittersweet moment. I’m a very forgiving person. I didn’t want to live the rest of the weeks in a negative way. I forgive, but I don’t forget.’ 

Islanders were tasked with selecting someone to snog and ‘marry’, by placing a ring on someone’s finger and ditch, by throwing a custard pie in that person’s face.

'Too far': Tasha said: 'It was a lot - I felt backed into a corner. It’s such an intense environment and hard to escape. You’re stuck in there together. I was ready to walk out'

‘Too far’: Tasha said: ‘It was a lot – I felt backed into a corner. It’s such an intense environment and hard to escape. You’re stuck in there together. I was ready to walk out’ 

During the show, Tasha was the left visually upset after three boys pushed cream pies into her face, with fellow Islanders later agreeing things went ‘too far’.

Tasha, who was coupled up with real estate agent Andrew, had three pies thrown in her face, by entrepreneur Davide Sanclimenti, microbiologist Dami and fishmonger Luca, after they had accused her of not having good intentions towards Andrew.

The general consensus was that Tasha did not like Andrew as much as he likes her and that she was stringing him along.

Forced to give reasons why they were choosing to pie her, Dami claimed that the bikini clad stunner ‘rides on Andrew’s coattails’.

Luca told her: ‘I could give you a list, [of reasons] but I’ll let it go for today. It’s just a game.’

'Had enough': Tasha continued: 'A lot had happened in the space of three days and a lot of it was targeted at me. I was upset. I did kind of walk out'

‘Had enough’: Tasha continued: ‘A lot had happened in the space of three days and a lot of it was targeted at me. I was upset. I did kind of walk out’

The UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, confirmed to MailOnline the regulator received 1,509 complaints on July 19 – and the majority were about alleged misogynistic behaviour from the male islanders towards the female cast, including in the aftermath of the challenge.

Later in the show, the two men apologised to Tasha with Brighton based fishmonger Luca admitting he was ‘out of line’.

He said: ‘I do actually genuinely feel bad right now for what I said and I’m sorry’. Luca said.

Dami added: ‘I don’t want it to be like I’m ganging up on you. I actually want us to be friends.’

Hugging it out: Later in the show, the two men apologised to Tasha with Brighton based fishmonger Luca admitting he was 'out of line'

Hugging it out: Later in the show, the two men apologised to Tasha with Brighton based fishmonger Luca admitting he was ‘out of line’

Tasha hugged both men and they agreed to draw a line under the situation, however fans were left unconvinced the apologies was genuine, believing that producers may have put them up to it.

Tasha and Andrew have since enjoyed a double date with their co-stars Gemma Owen and Luca at a football match.

The gang appeared to be in high spirits at a box in Tottenham Hotspur FC’s London stadium, as the team won 1-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

Andrew posted the snap to Instagram along with the caption, ‘The double date you all wanted,’ which was soon re-shared by the others.

Group: Tasha and Andrew have since enjoyed a double date with their co-stars Gemma Owen and Luca at a football match on Saturday (L-R: Tasha, Gemma, Luca, Andrew)

Group: Tasha and Andrew have since enjoyed a double date with their co-stars Gemma Owen and Luca at a football match on Saturday (L-R: Tasha, Gemma, Luca, Andrew)



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Originally posted 2022-08-24 23:58:08.