Love Island has become the most complained-about programme of 2025, according to Ofcom, with thousands of viewers protesting the treatment of contestant Shakira Khan. The ITV reality dating show received 3,547 complaints for its 24 July episode alone, following more than 2,000 complaints on each of the two preceding days.
The vast majority of complaints related to alleged bullying of Khan, who was often shown crying and isolated. Viewers believed she faced negativity from other female contestants, including jibes and eye rolls, after she ended a relationship with one islander to pursue another. Ofcom noted that producers showed Khan and another contestant criticising two other women, raising concerns for her mental health.
Despite the volume of complaints, Ofcom decided not to investigate, stating that the negativity towards Khan was not celebrated and that viewers of reality shows expect such scenes. Some complaints also concerned a contestant being allowed back into the villa after leaving, but ITV clarified that producers can reintroduce previously evicted islanders.
ITV said participants receive training before entering the villa, focusing on avoiding behaviour associated with controlling or coercive conduct. The broadcaster emphasised its commitment to duty of care.
Other programmes in Ofcom's top five complaints included a Vanessa Feltz show where Karen Millen called mothers breastfeeding beyond six months 'selfish', and a GB News item where presenter Josh Howie made a comment linking the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles. Ofcom found the GB News remark broke broadcasting rules, and the channel later apologised after a guest wrongly claimed the Duchess of Sussex's mother had been in prison.
