Love Island's Jacques O'Neill has publicly apologised for his behaviour towards some of the other islanders as he admitted he has started therapy.
Taking to Instagram, the rugby player shared a lengthy statement addressing recent bullying claims. The 23-year-old was accused of bullying by co-star Remi Lambert both during and since leaving their stint in the ITV2 villa.
Earlier this week the rapper took to his own social media account as he shared an example of Jacques and his friend Luca Bish making fun on him while on a live stream video. Remi said: "Everyone said I lied about the way I was treated in that villa, but this here is an example of what was going on whilst I was in there. Don’t know why they wasn’t kicked out for their behaviour to be honest. It’s not banter, it’s clear signs of bullying."
READ MORE: Luca Bish brands Gemma Owen 'annoying' before taking trip abroad
He added: "Jacques said bad things about my appearance and the way I speak, whilst Luca was encouraging it. After about three strikes from Jacques I told him I won’t be speaking to him anymore in the villa. Later on he tried apologising to me but like 10 minutes after he started with the snide comments again. I’ve tried to avoid this guy multiple times but he always ends up starting again. I don’t know when it will stop."
The post was also liked by fellow Islander Tasha Ghouri. Tasha and her boyfriend Andrew Le Page later unfollowed Jacques. While in the villa viewers bashed the show for allowing Tasha to be treated in poor taste by the lads.
Now, Jacques has said he wants to "acknowledge the situation" and "apologise if my behaviour has caused offence". The statement in full read: "I just want to acknowledge the situation that's happening right now and apologise if my behaviour has caused offence or been misinterpreted over the last few weeks.
"I genuinely have no bad feelings towards anyone and I've not meant for anything to come across that way at all. It was not my intention and I'm genuinely sorry if it has. Life has been very overwhelming recently and admittedly I've probably not handled myself in the best possible way."
He added: "I take full responsibility for my actions. I'm aware I'm far from perfect and that there is work that needs to be done on myself. I had my first therapy session on Monday which really took me out of my comfort zone, I know I have needed this for years but it's only now I have decided to get help. I know it's a step in the right direction for me even after just 1 session.
"I'm not asking for sympathy, I just want to acknowledge the situation and move forward as positively as I can. However, I know this can be used as an important lesson for me moving forward and over the coming years.
"I hope I can become the person I want to be and use this new platform to spread a positive message. I'm sorry to anyone that I have let down X".
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