Love Island contestants are to be banned from social media during this upcoming series to shield themselves and their families from online abuse.
In a move that was trialled for the first time during the winter series earlier this year, ITV bosses have announced restrictions on social media usage for the cast of the hit reality competition show’s highly-anticipated upcoming 10th season – which is due to start in just a few weeks time.
It’s part of the broadcaster’s new duty of care guidelines and procedures.
As contestants have no access or contact with the outside world while they’re in the villa, this has often meant that in previous years, the reigns of their social media accounts have been handed over to loved ones to post content on their behalf – but the show has been heavily criticised for this, as it has tended to subject their families to having to deal with trolling and abusive comments.
This is on top of the the criticism the dating show has faced following the highly-publicised deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, as well as former presenter Caroline Flack – who all took their own lives.
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The show has also been the subject of widespread discussion, criticism, and subsequent Ofcom complaints over alleged toxic or abusive behaviour among participants.
In an attempt to address the issue of trolling and abuse aimed at Islanders, ITV instructed the contestants of its ninth series earlier this year to either suspend their accounts or prevent loved ones from posting content during their time in the villa.
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Following the success of this trial, the move is to be made permanent.
As part of the new duty of care procedures, ITV has now formally introduced the social media ban for the summer series – which is due to begin airing on ITV2 on Monday 5 June – and will be asking participants to pause their accounts for the duration of their time on the show to ensure that both they and their families are protected as best as possible.
The move has been welcomed by former contestants including Amy Hart, Tasha Ghouri, and Liam Reardon – who have branded it as “great” and “needs to be done”.
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Elsewhere in ITV’s duty of care guidelines, before going on the show and before meeting their fellow contestants, islanders will complete video training and guidance across a range of topics including mutually respectful behaviour in relationships, behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour, and language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions before they meet their fellow contestants.
Prospective islanders will also watch a video of the show’s executive producer and head of welfare interviewing former contestants about their experiences in the villa.
ITV says the social media ban is to shield contestants and their families from online abuse / Credit: ITV
As well as the in-house therapists who have been present in the villa for several seasons now, psychological support and an aftercare package is also to be provided contestants when they leave the villa.
This will include how to cope with being filmed 24/7, and the interactions they will have with the show’s producers.
Support is also given to family members of contestants about how to deal with social media trolling, and adapting to life away from the show.
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap
Danny Jones
Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.
Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.
Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.
They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.
As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon
‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.
Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.
The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…
Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.
Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.
With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.
Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years
Danny Jones
Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.
McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.
However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.
Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.
The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.
His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.
Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”
Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.
But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.
As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.
Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.