TV chef sparks Love Island race row as she slams bosses over ‘damaging' act, fuming ‘do better!'

The Sun

03-07-2025

TELLY chef Lorraine Pascale has launched a blistering attack on Love Island bosses urging those at the show to "do better."
Her remarks - which allege new newbie Billykiss Azeez replacing Love Island 2025 OG Alima Gagigo had caused "damage" in terms of representation - came after Alima and bombshell Ryan Bannister were given the boot in a double elimination.
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Conor Phillips, 25 opted to partner up with Dublin influencer Billykiss, 28, after their successful first date, which left Alima, 23, single and promptly ditched from the Mallorca compound.
Furious fans told how they had "complained to Ofcom" about the twist of fate.
Yet this wasn't the first time they had rallied around the Glasgow-born lass, with fans previously left fuming that no bombshell had been brought in for the talented wealth management client services executive.
Now chef Lorraine, 52, who has previously starred on ITV daytime show This Morning as well as many of her own series, including the BBC 's Baking made Easy, has spoken out on her own personal view in a post about representation on the series.
She wrote on X: "Wow @LoveIsland. You finally cast a Black woman who was thriving, and then you replace her with another Black woman?
"This isn't representation, it's tokenism.
"You're reinforcing the idea that there's only room for one of us at a time.
That's not diversity - that's damage. Do better."
A show source has refuted suggestions of a race row and said: "During last night's episode, the format point was based around the islander's own decisions on whether they wanted to recouple."
At the time of writing, Lorraine's message - which reflects her honestly held opinion - had been 'liked' eight times.
I'm 50 and still wearing cut out bikinis - people might say I'm too old but I won't stop, says TV chef Lorraine Pascal
When The Sun was first to reveal the eviction, we made it clear it was the islanders who would decide their own fate - with the decision of the public or show bosses not involved.
EVICTION BLOW
On Wednesday night's episode of Love Island, Tommy had a text asking all Islanders to gather round the Firepit.
A second message told Ryan and Billykiss, the new bombshells, to stand at the front.
The boys were told to stand up if they'd like to recouple with Billykiss.
Love Island winners - where they are now
EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more.
Here we take you through all of the Love Island winners so far and what their relationship statuses are now:
2025 - The second series of All Stars saw Gabby Allen and Case O'Gorman scoop the crown. STATUS: Still together.
2024 - The summer Love Island saw Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan were crowned the winners. STATUS: Broken up.
2024 - The first ever All stars spin off show was won by Molly Smith and Tom Clare. STATUS: Still together.
2023 - Jess Harding and Sammy Root took home the 50k, and won the summer 2023 Love Island. STATUS: Broken up.
2023 - The first series of 2023 saw Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan crowned Love Island winners in South Africa. STATUS: Still together.
2022 - Davide Sanclimenti and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu's time in the villa was anything but a smooth ride, but they managed to win the public's hearts - and the ITV2 reality show. STATUS: Broken up.
2021 - Liam Reardon and Millie Court were announced winners of Love Island 2021. STATUS: Still together.
2020 - The first ever winter Love Island saw Paige Turley and Finn Tapp crowned winners after falling in love on the show. STATUS: Broken up.
2019 - Series 5 saw Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague runners up to winners Greg O'Shea and Amber Gill, who met in the last few days of the series. STATUS: Broken up.
2018 - It wasn't surprising fan favourites Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer won the show, as they were strong throughout. But sadly things didn't last. STATUS: Broken up.
2017 - Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies had lots of ups and downs in the villa but went on to win. STATUS: Broken up.
2016 - Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde were together from the start of the series, and since they won the show they've had two kids and are married. STATUS: Still together.
2015 - Despite poor Jess Hayes being Max Morley's second choice on the show, they did win - but they didn't last as a couple. STATUS: Broken up.
Conor stood up, and says his date went really well with Billykiss and he'd be doing himself a disservice to not explore their connection.
Alima, left uncoupled, then took Billykiss' place up at the front.
The girls then had to stand up if they'd like to recouple with new bombshell Ryan, but none of the girls did so.
Due to both being single, Alima and new bombshell Ryan were dumped from the show.
Ryan remarked that his time was short but sweet, but it's Alima's exit that left the girls in tears, as Toni and Yasmin were both seen crying.
He had only just entered the show as a bombshell, alongside Billykiss.
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