Love Island: Maura’s attempts to kiss Tommy resulted in most Ofcom complaints

Incident results in 709 viewers complaining to communications regulator

Maura Higgins’ sexual advances towards Tommy Fury on Love Island provoked the most complaints to Ofcom this series, the watchdog has announced.

Last month, the 28-year-old model was criticised for repeatedly try to kiss the 20-year-old boxer, with many viewers describing her actions as "sexual harassment".

Earlier this month, Ofcom said it had assessed the complaints after the episode aired on 14 June, and that it would not be investigating them further.

"While we recognise that many viewers disapproved of a contestant's behaviour in this episode, we took into account the context in which it occurred, including the nature of Maura and Tommy's relationship, before and after,” the regulator explained.

On Wednesday, the organisation revealed that it received the most complaints (709) during the programme’s run on ITV as a result of the episode involving Maura.

In total, it said that 3,094 complaints about the show had been put forward to the communications watchdog.

In addition, it stated that 700 viewers complained about the treatment of former contestant Lucie Donlan by her then-partner Joe Garratt and other female contestants while she was on the show.

Maura Higgins on Love Island (ITV)

During the series, Joe told Lucy to stay away from the other men in the competition.

As a result, domestic violence charity Women’s Aid released a statement describing the sandwich maker’s actions as “controlling behaviour”.

Adina Claire, co-chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Controlling behaviour is never acceptable, and with Love Island viewers complaining to Ofcom in record numbers about Joe’s possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it.”

Similarly, Ofcom said that it had looked into the complaints regarding Joe’s behaviour but had chosen not to investigate it further.

"While we understand some viewers were concerned for her well-being, we think most viewers would expect to see emotionally-charged scenes in a programme which shines a light on people's relationships,” it stated.

In response to Women’s Aid’s statement, a spokesperson for Love Island said: “We take the emotional well-being of all the Islanders extremely seriously. We have dedicated welfare producers and psychological support on-hand at all times who monitor and regularly speak to all of the Islanders in private and off-camera, especially if someone appears to be upset. All the Islanders are therefore fully supported by the professionals on site and by their friends in the villa.

"This means Islanders are always able to reach out and talk to someone if they feel the need. We will of course continue to monitor all of our Islanders in line with our robust protocols. Love Island holds a mirror up to relationships and all the different dynamics that go with them."

The watchdog also said that it had chosen not to delve further into its analysis of Anna Vakili and Amber Gill behaviour towards Danny Williams and Arabella Chi after he chose to couple up with the model instead of their friend Yewande Biala.

Amber Gill, Arabella Chi and Lucie Donlan chat in Love Island. (ITV/REX)

While 288 viewers complained about Ana and Amber's demeanour, Ofcom explained: “We think most viewers would expect highly-charged, confrontational scenes as the contestants explore new friendships and relationships."

The fourth and fifth most complained about incidents concerned Michael Griffiths' treatment of Amber.

On 15 July, 169 people complained about the fire fighter’s behaviour towards the 20-year-old, after his then-partner Joanna Chimonides left the show.

"It's really starting to upset me and wear me down", Amber told her fellow contestants. “I just feel really angry.

Two weeks earlier, 143 people complained about the way Michael treated Amber after choosing to recouple with newcomer Joanna.

At the time, Ofcom said it would assess the complaints.

Maura Higgins and Curtis Pritchard in Love Island 2019 (ITV)

Last week, Twitter users urged Maura to “respect” her partner Curtis Pritchard’s decision not to have sex with her during the ITV2 programme.

During one of the final episodes of the series, the model was filmed kissing Pritchard in bed before the dancer told her that “tonight is not the night”.

The following day, Maura complained to her fellow female Islanders that she had “zero action last night” and proceeded to explain that she was “losing [her] patience”.

The Irish star’s behaviour provoked criticism on social media, with Twitter users accusing her of pressurising Pritchard into having sex.

Others labelled Higgins’ behaviour “problematic” and “unacceptable”.