Love Island's Sam defended by ITV viewers as his treatment by other contestants slammed as 'really tough' to watch
Love Island star Sam Workman has been fiercely defended by fans after his treatment by other contestants was slammed as 'really tough' to watch.
The 25-year-old, who hails from Dudley, West Midlands, has already been defended by ITV viewers following an onslaught of cruel remarks and mockery about his hearing aids.
For anyone not in the loop, Sam is deaf and has worn hearing aids since he was four.
A deaf influencer has already had to come out to address the matter, highlighting that even comments disguised as concern for electrician Sam are a form of backhanded ableism that many disabled people are forced to endure every day.
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A deaf charity has also since issued a statement on the matter, but the latest update in the Sam saga is all to do with what some mean social media users are calling his 'cringey grafting' methods.
One Reddit user declared: "Can't watch Sam graft.
"Sam seems like a really lovely boy. But not LI material. He's trying to graft the bombshells. It's giving primary school romance. He mentioned baby names, wtf? I'm watching behind a pillow. They will eat him alive. If this turns into another Scott & Leanne, I will eat my words. Hope they start dumping soon. Sam and Angelista, top of the dead wood pile."
A second commented: "It was blatantly clear from the start that he's not the type of guy that LI girls go for. There's nothing wrong with them, they are just too quiet and don't know how to do the confident flirty thing that LI girls like."
And a third chimed in: "I agree. I’m genuinely shocked he got cast. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an awkward and quiet Islander. He’s sweet and smiley but does not have a personality remotely close to what we see on reality TV."
Fortunately for Sam, many fans rushed to his defence.
"They’re talking to him like he is actually seriously special needs, which he clearly isn’t; he’s partly deaf, but they’re acting like he is not fully functional. It’s really tough to watch," wrote a fourth.
A fifth hit out: "Can’t stand the other Islanders infantilising him when he’s one of the few Islanders who’s been in a relationship. Sorry, but he has to go, no one in the villa is taking him seriously."
"I’d be so embarrassed if people acted like that towards me in front of someone I’m interested in. How they can’t recognise that they’re pitying him, I don’t understand," lamented a sixth.
Another theorised: "I feel it’s all rooted in the fact they perceive him as someone who’s found it hard to date due to his disability.
"Even though (a. He’s not the first person with a disability to come on Love Island, and (b. He’s come out of a three-year-long relationship, so not only is he capable of making romantic connections, but he has more experience than most of the Islanders in the villa."
And a final Redditor slammed: "I don’t get people finding him cringe. I think Sam comes across as a genuine and kind person interested in a serious relationship. How is that cringe? I am not f*cking cringing, and the Islanders being supportive are somehow infantilising him?
"All this ableist projection because he’s not in drama or coupled up on day 4? Weird take. Sam is hot, and Victoria was digging him. I feel like you’re all blind."
Topics: Love Is Blind, ITV, Reality TV, TV And Film
Rhiannon Ingle