Yahoo News The Island with Bear Grylls: First contestant quits amidst bullying and animal cruelty claims
The Island with Bear Grylls has come under fire after people accused it of perpetuating bullying culture – on top of the show’s animal cruelty after two snakes and an iguana were slain.
This week’s episode – the second in the new series – saw Erance, a stay-at-home dad, quit the show after feeling the pressure of island life.
After describing the entire experience as ‘Hell on Earth’, he confessed to the cameras: ‘I miss my family.’ He then insisted he was allowed to leave the place for good: ‘I can’t do no more. I don’t want to do no more, and I’ve failed.’
The contestant was criticised for slaughtering a snake – despite being a vegetarian – before announcing he was quitting because he couldn’t deal with the guilt.
But that wasn’t where the controversy ended. Audiences were even more livid when the islanders murdered another snake and beheaded an iguana as a means of food.
Yet Erance’s departure and the accusations of animal cruelty weren’t the only big talking points of the show, because people at home watching events unfold picked up on James’ increasing distance from the rest of his campmates.
Concerned viewers voiced their concerns on Twitter, saying that his treatment was unacceptable and simply mean.
After the contestant appeared to be outcast by his fellow survivors, people were not the least bit impressed by their behaviour and considered int bullying.
Really angry that James is being bullied for being a nice person #theisland the posh group are so nasty!
— NoneOfTheAbove (@Aveen2222) April 9, 2018
My heart actually just broke for James how people can be that unaccepting of someone literally just trying because they’re not quite like themselves is so bad #TheIsland
— Jennie Brunskill (@teawithjennie_) April 9, 2018
literally sat here sobbing for james, my heart IS BROKEN IN TWO. HE'S SO PRECIOUS HOW COULD YOU BE MEAN TO AN ADORABLE HUMAN LIKE THAT??! #theisland
— holly⚡ (@thewalkingphan_) April 9, 2018
Man brings back item to try to raise camp spirits. Camp promptly destroys him, derides his efforts and alienate him. Ah, to be rich. #TheIsland
— Simon Parker (@S1mge3) April 9, 2018
Poor James…shows you how misunderstood people can be when they struggle in social environments #theisland
— Carla (@Wandering_Carla) April 9, 2018
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for James, after initially stumbling upon the hidden soft drink he took back to share with camp, he was able to have a cheeky swig of the Lilt-like beverage – every cloud, eh?
The Channel 4 reality TV show came under fire in its first episode, after audiences accused its producers of intentionally dividing people into middle and working class groups to rile up hatred and animosity with the show’s contestants.
Catch The Island with Bear Grylls Monday nights, at 9pm, on Channel 4.
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