Love Island has aired the most controversial episode of Series 13 so far, with viewers raising concerns over alleged misogyny towards the female Islanders. The ITV2 reality sensation returned for Series 13 on June 1, bringing some unexpected new elements for 2026. Among the surprises in store was a fake double elimination that took place in the opening week, plus the introduction of one cast member's sibling as a bombshell.
Ofcom Complaints Surge
Despite some of the shocking moments and heartbreaking departures, it was the episode broadcast on June 11 that attracted the highest number of complaints so far, with 91 reality TV enthusiasts filing objections with broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. Most centred on alleged misogyny towards the female contestants.
The 'It's Not That Deep' Challenge
During the contentious episode, the cast participated in a task called 'It's Not That Deep'. They were required to pair a statement read from a card with the villa inhabitant they believed it most likely described. The most explosive revelations included Yasmin Hadlow having previously addressed a former boyfriend by the wrong name, something she had been livid with then-partner Aidan Murphy about after he repeatedly did the same to her in the villa.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Alessi was exposed as the Islander who could only recall the names of three out of the 11 girls he had been intimate with, sparking a heated argument as the girls maintained it was standard practice to keep a running count in their phone's notes application. Newbie Simba Kudyiwa's admission that he had a 'wandering eye' was deemed acceptable by the girls as long as it wasn't acted upon. This sparked a furious reaction from Ope Sowande, whose relationship with Angelista Gunda fell apart after he confessed to the same thing before the challenge.
Aftermath and Comparison to Previous Series
After the game and its numerous revelations, a massive divide emerged in the villa, with the lads giving the girls the cold shoulder, accusing them of "double standards." The 91 Ofcom complaints lodged for last week's episode is relatively low compared to previous series. In 2025, Ofcom reported that roughly three out of every 10 complaints it received were about Love Island, with a total of 14,121 complaints filed that year relating to the ITV2 programme.
The single most complained about Love Island episode of 2025 aired on July 24, featuring the dramatic 'Grafties' ceremony and attracting 3,547 complaints. The controversial segment saw the Islanders presented with awards for various categories voted on by the public, including Flirtiest Performance and Most Emotional Moment.
ITV has been contacted for a response to the latest figures. Love Island airs Sundays to Fridays at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
