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Joe Garratt Addresses Accusations He 'Gaslighted' Lucie Donlan on 'Love Island'

Lisa McLoughlin

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Joe Garratt Addresses Accusations He 'Gaslighted' Lucie Donlan on 'Love Island'

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Love Island's Joe Garratt has addressed accusations that he "gaslighted" Lucie Donlan, following his exit from the villa on Tuesday.

A total of 684 viewers complained to TV watchdog Ofcom after the catering company owner reduced Lucie, 21, to tears when he told her friendship with Tommy Fury was "weird" and that she should spend more time with the girls.

Reflecting on the furore, the 22-year-old insisted he didn't "manipulate or abuse" the surfer, who he was exclusively coupled up with, and said he "gutted" about how he has been perceived.

Credit: ITV
Credit: ITV
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Speaking to The Sun, he said: "I didn't manipulate or abuse her, I am gutted that it has been perceived in that way because it wasn't like that at all, I always had Lucie's best interests at heart.

"I promise you I would do everything and anything to help her because she had a hard time in there and didn't get on with the girls, I was trying to help her and make her experience as amazing as possible, I thought I did right.

He added: "I am not going to say sorry, I may have worded things wrong and the cameras are on you 24/7, I may have slipped up a bit but I am only human."

Credit: ITV
Credit: ITV
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Joe claimed problems between himself and Lucie started when their fellow islanders began commenting on her friendship with Tommy, making him feel like he had to bring up the issue with Lucie.

The Londoner added he hopes the public will see him for who he "genuinely is" following his exit and believes the "intense nature" of the show is to blame for twisting the way things looked from the outside.

The reality star's original comments left Lucie in tears after he suggested she spend more time with the other girls in the villa.

Speaking about her friendship with boxer Tommy, Joe said to her: "I'm not happy with it. It's strange. I think it's time for you to get close with the girls."

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His comments led to a slew of complaints to Ofcom, with charity Women's Aid issuing warnings about the signals in a relationship.

Adina Claire of Women's Aid said: "Controlling behaviour is never acceptable.

"With Love Island viewers complaining about Joe's possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it. Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control."

Topics: TV News, TV Entertainment, Love Island

Lisa McLoughlin
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