Love Island 2023: as the winter series returns, we reveal the most complained about moments of all time

Love Island is back on our screens, and last night we watched the first ten singletons couple up.

Despite the ITV reality series being extremely popular - with the last season amassing over four million viewers - the show has also received a large number of Ofcom complaints each season.

Ofcom is a regulatory body in the UK, where viewers can submit an online complaint to the authority in regards to anything broadcasted on television.

In total, Ofcom received 7,482 complaints throughout series eight, which compares with 36,324 in series seven and 1,700  in series six.

Let’s take a look at the top five most complained about Love Island episodes.

“Mad Movies” (series seven) - 24,923 complaints

The infamous movie night happens in each series. Following Casa Amor, all of the contestants sit down with popcorn to watch clips which highlight their partner’s antics during their short time apart.

During the series seven movie night which aired on 6 August, 2021, a clip emerged of Teddy Soares admitting he was attracted to bombshell Clarisse Juliette.

The clips also showed the pair kissing during a challenge. However, Teddy otherwise remained faithful to his partner in the other villa, Faye Winters.

Following the clip, Faye launched into an outburst which included a lot of swearing. The heated argument sparked a debate over Faye’s behaviour and received 24,923 Ofcom complaints.

However, Teddy and Faye reconciled three episodes later, after the latter apologised. She said: "I am really sorry for the way I spoke to you.

"There’s no excuse for the way I spoke to you or how I raised my voice and no-one should have someone speak to them like that."

Faye and Teddy finished the series in third place, and are the only series seven couples who are still together at the time of writing.

Arrival of “the postcard” (series seven) - 4,338 complaints

Whilst the original boys were away in the Casa Amor villa with six new girls, the original girls were holding down the fort in the main villa with six new boys by their side.

During an episode, which aired on 28 July, 2021, the original girls received a postcard which showed pictures of the boys in Casa Amor.

Ofcom received 4,338 complaints following the episode after viewers believed the girls were “misled”.

One image on the postcard showed Teddy Soares kissing bombshell Clarisse Juliette, despite being partnered up with Faye Winter. However, Faye did not know the picture was taken in a game of dares.

Aside from the game, Teddy had remained faithful and even slept outside during each night at Casa Amor.

Another image showed Liam Reardon, who was coupled up with Millie Court, sleeping in a bed with bombshell Lillie Haynes. However, Liam and Millie did go on to win the show.

“Mad Movies” (series eight) - 2,626 complaints

The season eight movie night aired on17 July, 2022 - and just like the previous season, it caused a number of problems.

The clips saw Gemma Owen, who was coupled up with Luca Bish, allegedly flirting with bombshell Billy Brown.

The way in which Luca reacted towards the clip of Gemma was reported for being “misogynistic”.

It also showed Tasha Ghouri kissing Billy, and her partner Andrew Le Page getting intimate with bombshell Coco Lodge.