LOVE Island has been plunged into a fix row, with fans claiming a huge twist was "set up by producers".
In a first-look ahead of tonight's episode, Mehdi Edno, 26, revealed his head was turning for Leah Taylor, 27.
Admitting he would like to get to know her more, the communications manager said, "I think you're a smart girl, you're articulate. I've been confused for the past days, not gonna lie to you.
"I think there are other qualities to you but I'd rather keep them to myself for now," he continued to tell his surprised co-star in a nighttime chat.
Leah reacted with: "Oh really? I'm not gonna lie, I didn't expect that."
Cynical fans soon rushed to Twitter, claiming the conversation had been staged by crew on the ITV2 show.
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One wrote: "Guys, producers tell them who to talk to… it’s not surprising, they want to keep Leah in the villa."
Another added, "That was so random, this has producers written all over it."
A third said, "They really went to keep Leah in the villa because what the heck ??? Does Leah even like him."
While a fourth chimed in with, "Which producer told Medhi to do this? Show your face."
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Mehdi's shady behaviour comes just days after he and Whitney locked lips on the terrace.
Despite being an early favourite with fans on the show, it seems that Mehdi is slowly letting his crown slip.
Earlier this week he was slammed for his behaviour towards Whitney as the pair had a tense chat.
Some viewers claim to have spotted manipulative and controlling behaviours, highlighting the way he reacted to Whitney's mannerisms after yesterday's surprise recoupling.
He called her "disrespectful" for giggling during his speech. Whitney apologised and insisted it was just a result of her nerves.
One fan made their feelings known about his change of behaviour in an online forum.
They said: "Mehdi knew from the jump that Whitney was silly. He would always say he liked how 'fiery' she was, how she’s funny etc. Now all of the sudden, there’s this switch. Everything she does is problem.
"During the recoupling, Whitney was giggling because she was shy. It’s basically her way of blushing!! He even knows it takes her a while for her to open up like this, so why is he acting so…stern?
"All these comments about her being 'loud' when you liked that she was fiery before? Even the whole Jess situation making it seem like she was the aggressor.
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"He’s controlling and quite frankly, he’s giving me ….the narc word. And I know people are afraid of that word but this switch is SCARY."
Another fan agreed, writing: "I was liking Mehdi in the beginning, but he is screaming red flags now."