Adam Collard's return to Love Island has been slammed by Women's Aid after they accused him of displaying clear signs of 'gaslighting and emotional abuse' during his 2018 stint on the show.
The reality star, 26, made history when he re-entered the villa on Monday night's show - but his reappearance has already sparked some fierce backlash.
Domestic abuse charity Women's Aid have released a statement following his return, urging ITV bosses to reconsider Adam's return to the show.
"In the 2018 series of Love Island, we saw Rosie rightly call out Adam for his unacceptable behaviour, which included gaslighting and emotional abuse," they said.
"We hope that ITV recognise how serious this issue is and that it must be learned from, considering they have asked Adam to return to the show.
"Love Island is watched by many young people and we know what a huge influence it has.
"Producers must make sure there is support for contestants throughout, and intervene if relationships become unhealthy or abusive."
Mirror Online has contacted Adam's representatives for comment.
ITV has extensive duty of care protocols for this year's series, with measures remaining in place to provide support to programme participants before, during and after filming.
Ahead of this series, contributors on the show will be offered video training and guidance covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions.
The discussions will tackle topics including inclusive language, behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.
Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion at ITV, said: "The world we live in is changing every day, and we want all of our Islanders to feel they are part of an inclusive environment in the Villa. As part of our duty of care process, it is also important we play our part in educating our participants to understand and empathise with different perspectives and lived experiences."
Adam's dramatic return to Love Island is a controversial choice for bosses, after the hunk came under fire for the way he treated his love interests back in 2018.
The Lothario moved from Kendall Knight to Rosie Williams, who broke down in tears after he started flirting with Megan Barton Hanson and nastily accused her of being "clingy".
Adam's head then turned for Zara McDermott, who he ended up dating for a while on the outside, which left Rosie devastated.
He even suggested she was overreacting and that her jealousy over his flirting with Zara had "pushed him away".
During a heartbreaking showdown, Rosie told a smirking Adam: "Do you think this is all funny? Is this a big game to you? I don't think you have any idea how much you've really hurt me and really upset me."
Women's Aid then issued a warning following the episode saying that Adam had displayed clear signs of 'gaslighting and emotional abuse'.
The statement read: "On the latest series of Love Island, there are clear warning signs in Adam's behaviour.
"In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.
"Last night, Rosie called out Adam’s unacceptable behaviour on the show. We ask viewers to join her in recognising unhealthy behaviour in relationships and speaking out against all forms of domestic abuse – emotional as well as physical.
"It is only when we make a stand together against abuse in relationships that we will see attitudes change and an end to domestic abuse."
Adam later claimed he was playing a 'character'.
Speaking to heatworld in 2019, Adam said: "Alpha men who have a reputation on TV as strong characters might feel like they can’t speak out about their mental health. Me and Mike Thalassitis both portrayed this persona on Love Island, even though that’s not what we’re like in real life.
"I think this made it hard for me to speak about my mental health because people assumed I wasn't ever bothered about anything. You think, 'I can’t come out and say I'm upset about something because it's just not really the done thing."
