Controversial Love Island star Harrison quits villa in unexpected move amid backlash
Topics: Love Island, Reality TV, ITV
Madison Burgess
Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Love Island, Reality TV, ITV
Love Island UK star Harrison Solomon has reportedly left the villa and quit the show in a shock move.
The 22-year-old footballer has been embroiled in a controversial love triangle with fellow contestants Toni Laites, 24, and Lauren Wood, 26, which has not gone down well with viewers.
A source allegedly told The Sun that Harrison departed the Mallorca villa on Thursday night and is now making his way home to his family in the UK.
They added: "It's been a momentous few days for Harrison and ultimately he has decided to quit. Everyone was so shocked and people were crying and hugging him.
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"He worked through everything with the ITV duty of care team and is making his way home to his family now."
For those not up to speed on the drama, Harrison was coupled up with American bombshell Toni when he went to the place all of the couples dread when they sign up to the show - Casa Amor.
During his time there, he formed a connection with Lauren, who he ultimately brought back to the villa, while Toni also brought back Cach Mercer, 24.
However, since then, viewers of Love Island will know that Harrison has struggled to make his mind up on which of the women he wanted to be with, leaving both of them in tears at one point or another.
The drama continued when Harrison told Toni he still had feelings for her, just moments before the recoupling and the day after he and Lauren had got intimate in the bedroom, leaving her heartbroken.
Series 12 of the iconic show has been jam-packed full of drama since it kicked off at the beginning of June, with some viewers dubbing it as one of the best seasons.
Harrison, who is from Derby but lives in Florida, joined the show on day eight and immediately set his sights on Toni, before showing an interest in Helena Ford, 29, and then starting a romance in Casa Amor with Lauren.
However, the news of the reality star's departure comes just after Women's Aid hit out at some of the behaviour on the ITV show.
The women's charity has accused the programme of continuing to reinforce misogyny, sexism, and unhealthy behaviour.
In a statement shared with The Tab, Communications Manager at Women's Aid Jessye Werner said: "We still see unhealthy patterns of behaviour on these shows, showing just how steeped in misogyny and sexism our society still is.
"Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated, as well as laughed at behind their backs. Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence – it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls."
She added: "More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny, and it is a great credit to viewers who take to social media, continuing to call out these behaviours as soon as they see them."
A spokesperson for Love Island UK outlined that the show's duty of care protocols mean that 'all Islanders complete video training and guidance across a range of topics' before they meet their fellow contestants.
These include mutually respectful behaviour in relationships, behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour and language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions.
They added that the inclusion training consists of conversations chaired by BCOMS (Black Collective of Media in Sport) founder Leon Mann MBE with DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher.
First introduced ahead of Series 8 in 2022, these discussions tackle topics including inclusive language and behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.