Love Island in new ‘fakery' row just days before new series as villa hunk slams show bosses

Scottish Sun

a day ago

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A FORMER Love Island contestant, Sean Stone, shared a scathing insight into how the show is run.
Sean, who appeared in the 11th season of the ITV reality series in 2024, was embroiled in accusations of racism and bullying while on the show.
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Love Island's Sean Stone reflected on his time on the reality show
Credit: Getty
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He told fans that not everything appeared as it seemed from the outside
Credit: Rex
He came third in that series with his now ex, Matilda Draper, and has opened up in a new TikTok about how the show is made.
Sean began by saying "the hardest part" of coming back to the real world after being in the Spanish villa was that people "act like they know you" because of what they've seen on TV.
"They think they know you, and they have their opinions about you," he said.
"Now, obviously, this show's a reality TV show, guys, it's very dramatic.
"It's not normal or natural, really."
Sean continued: "When you're obviously on the show, you're in your Love Island bubble, you don't really know what's being shown on the outside, you're just there living in the moment.
"And I really don't think that situations in there were as bad as what they were shown on TV and situations were obviously dramatized for TV purposes and not actually what generally was happening inside the villa."
The reality TV personality explained that when "you come out to the real world," you realise the stories written about him and comments on social media were a shock.
"Obviously, the new season is around the corner, and on reflection, I learned a lot about myself from the show and just TV in general," Sean added.
He said would always be "very, very grateful" for the opportunities he got from Love Island, "but obviously, it's not all sunshine."
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"But yeah, thank you so much for the support. As always, I really, really appreciate it," Sean concluded.
People reacted to Sean's video in the comments section.
"I mean you did say those things though...." wrote one person.
Another commented: "'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all', isn't just for the kids and applies on reality tell as well you know?"
And a third posted: "Don't let the negativity get to you Sean, we love you."
Ofcom was inundated with complaints after an episode of Sean's season of Love Island where he and fellow Islander, Joey Essex, were accused of bullying.
Some people also accused Sean of racism and did not approve of the way he spoke to contestant Mimii Ngulube.
The media regulator eventually decided not to investigate the complaints.
The new season of Love Island stars on Monday, June 9.