Love Island bosses hit back at claims Ollie Williams knew about ‘hunting’ headlines in the villa

Love Island bosses have quashed claims Ollie Williams’ early exit had anything to do with negative headlines about him in the press.

Wednesday night’s episode saw Ollie announce his decision, telling his fellow Islanders that he had realised he was still in love with his ex-girlfriend.

However, fans soon speculated over whether Ollie had been tipped off about claims he once ran a hunting business hitting the headlines.

Former Islander Curtis Pritchard was among those claiming this could be the case too, telling Heart Radio: “His family might have contacted producers and asked for him to leave, you just don't know.

"They might have seen all the hate he was getting and decided to pull him out."

However, a Love Island spokesperson has denied this was the case.

They told the Sun: "Ollie made the decision to leave off his own back and explained his reasons for doing so in his quote.

"He was not made aware whilst he was in the villa of any press stories running around him but as with all Islanders, since leaving the villa he has now been briefed as to what has been written and said about him as part of our duty of care.

“We will be supporting Ollie as he leaves the villa."

A source previously denied pictures of Ollie posing with dead animals were from sport hunting trips, instead claiming he was doing conservation work.

They said: “Ollie was involved in the culling of sick animals who were a threat to the health of the herd.

"There is a very big and important difference between trophy hunting and the conversation work Ollie has previously been involved in.

"At no point has Ollie organised or booked anybody to go to Africa to shoot game."

Ahead of the 2019 series, ITV introduced new guidelines around duty of care and how Love Islanders are assisted in the wake of their departures from the show.

All contestants now receive “bespoke social media training” and advice on finance as well as eight therapy sessions and proactive contact for 14 months after the series has ended, with additional help provided where necessary.

The current series of Love Island marks the first time the show has been filmed in South Africa, with a Cape Town abode being used instead of the usual Mallorca location.

We may be just days into the series but there’s been no shortage of drama and sparks look set to fly again tonight, thanks to the arrival of two more bombshells.

Love Island airs every night, apart from Saturdays, on ITV2 at 9pm.

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