Love Island’s Joe Garratt spotted smiling at airport after holing up in safehouse over ‘gaslighting’ Lucie row
AXED Love Island star Joe Garratt was all smiles at a Spanish airport today after being whisked away from the villa and taken to a safehouse.
The 22-year-old - flanked by two security guards - told fans he "hoped things would work out" with Lucie Donlan as he waited for his flight back to the UK.
Onlookers said he seemed "lovely" and seemed "genuinely gutted" to have been voted off the ITV show as he was led through Palma Airport.
It comes after he was taken away last night and briefed about the backlash that has engulfed the reality hit following accusations he was gaslighting 21-year-old Lucie.
Joe was voted off the show in scenes that were filmed yesterday but aired last night after a wave of criticism about his "abusive" behaviour.
To protect Joe even more, ITV cancelled the usual post-dumping interviews contestants have when leaving the show.
A source told us earlier: “Joe has been in the safehouse since leaving the villa.
“There has been a backlash against him and as part of ITV’s new duty of care, they’re doing everything they can to help him deal with it when he comes out.”
But it appears the sandwich man's time in his bolthole is up after being spotted by eagle-eyed fans at the airport.
Sarah-Clare Watson, from Edinburgh, was heading home from a sunshine break in Palma Nova with pal Eilidh Mcgregor when they met the villa star.
At first, the pair thought it was just a Joe lookalike, before realising it was really him and asking for a cuddle and a selfie.
Sarah-Clare, 23, told The Scottish Sun Online: "He was lovely to be honest, and seemed genuinely gutted about everything.
"I told him we were gutted for him and hoped everything works out with Lucie."
At this point, the dumped Islander replied: "I'm devastated too, I hope so [thinks work out with Lucie] as well."
We told earlier how bosses have been briefing Joe about the wave of criticism, which saw hundreds of viewers complain to Ofcom after he gave Lucie a dressing-down for being friends with boxer Tommy Fury.
Horrified viewers saw Joe tell the surfer, who he was coupled up with on the show, that he wanted it to stop.
He said: "I'm not happy with it. It's strange. I think it's time for you to get close with the girls."
Gaslighting is where you manipulate someone into thinking they've done something wrong when they haven't.
Domestic abuse charity Women's Aid explained: "Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage.
"Love Island viewers are now very vocal in calling out unhealthy behaviour between couples on the show, and this is a positive development."
Horrified fans also called on ITV to step in to help Lucie, with a flood of Twitter protests and more than 300 complaints to telly watchdog Ofcom.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We will assess these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Ex-Love Island contestant Malin Andersson tweeted: “Can the producers make sure Lucie is OK please?”
Other viewers laid into Joe, saying: “He is so controlling. Lucie, get out girl.”
Another added: “Seeing actual signs of emotional abuse on Love Island is excruciating.”
A third said: “Its actually becoming uncomfortable to watch how everyone is treating Lucie. I’d genuinely worry for her mental health.”
Love Island bosses have been in daily contact with Lucie’s family to reassure them that they are offering her support from inside the villa.
Welfare team members have been on the phone to her mum to keep her informed.
A spokesman for Love Island said: “We have always ensured that the families of Islanders have the contact details of key members of our production team and there is always an open line of communication.
“We have always offered support to families where appropriate and when requested.”
Last night, viewers saw Joe and Lucie and Elma Pazar and Anton Danyluk put in the firing line after the couples were asked to choose the least compatible pairing.
Elma was picked to leave alongside Joe, with them seen wheeling their suitcases away from the famous villa.
Joe had made a last-ditch bid to patch things up with Lucie on tonight's show, telling her: "I've never met a girl like you. You're like a unicorn. I have definitely fallen for you. You will be my girlfriend, 100 per cent."
She replied: "You'll make me cry in a minute. It's nice."