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FRESH WARNING
Adam Collard’s return to Love Island slammed by Women’s Aid over gaslighting accusations last time he was on show
WOMEN’S Aid has issued a warning to Love Island bosses over the return of controversial contestant Adam Collard.
Geordie Adam, 26, caused chaos when he first entered the show in 2018 and was accused of gaslighting.
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At the time, the domestic abuse charity released a statement around the personal trainers’ treatment of law student Rosie Williams, declaring there were “warning signs in his behaviour”.
Now ITV2’s move to allow Adam back into the villa has prompted concern from viewers who have recalled his attitude the first time round, prompting Women’s Aid to comment anew.
In a statement, Women's Aid's Teresa Parker said: “In the 2018 series of Love Island, we saw Rosie rightly call out Adam for his unacceptable behaviour, which included gaslighting and emotional abuse.
“We hope that ITV recognise how serious this issue is and that it must be learned from, considering they have asked Adam to return to the show.
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“Love Island is watched by many young people and we know what a huge influence it has.
“Producers must make sure there is support for contestants throughout, and intervene if relationships become unhealthy or abusive”.
Adam left the villa with stunning Zara McDermott, who is now a documentary presenter for BBC Three, and the pair dated for eight months before splitting.
But he’s now back in the villa - and says he’s once more looking for love.
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Adam said: “I’m going to ruffle feathers when I go in.”
During his first turn on the dating show, Adam coupled up with four different girls.
It was his split with Rosie that prompted outcry, though.
At the time Women’s Aid said: “In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.
“Last night, Rosie called out Adam’s unacceptable behaviour on the show.
"We ask viewers to join her in recognising unhealthy behaviour in relationships and speaking out against all forms of domestic abuse – emotional as well as physical.”
During his time on Love Island, Adam angered the girls in the villa by hopping between them.
In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.
Women's Aid
Each time, he was accused of gaslighting the women into thinking it was “their fault” his eye had wandered.
But when he dumped Rosie for Zara - the day after she performed a sex act on him - she stood up for herself, only for him to declare: “It’s not my fault if I fancy her.”
Today, viewers reacted in shock at the news of his return.
Former Islander Georgia Townend wrote: “Ermmmmm excuse me @LoveIsland this absolute menace to women is allowed a second rodeo!? and I wasn’t even allowed five minutes WTF!”
Someone else added: “Adam f***ing collard. Pioneer of gaslighting and heartbreak.”
A second agreed, writing: “I never want to see the Love Island bosses/producers pretend to care about mental health again.
"Not after bringing Adam back, the guy that was so bad Women’s Aid had to write a statement on him.”
Meanwhile, Island ex Zara McDermott said: “You’re joking me."
And Rosie added: “They winding me up?”
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ITV has an extensive list of duty of care protocols while welfare services offered to islanders include comprehensive psychological support, detailed conversations with Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show, a proactive aftercare package which extends support to all Islanders following their participation on the show and guidance and advice on taking on management after the show.
A welfare team is also solely dedicated to the Islanders both during the show and after.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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