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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Love Island viewers suspect Jacques O'Neill was asked to leave in shock exit

Love Island fans have been left wondering if there is more to Jacques O'Neill 's exit than meets the eye.

Some ITV2 viewers have suggested producers may have cut some scenes that explain a little bit more about the rugby player's shock decision to leave the villa and head home early.

Jacques broke down in tears during Tuesday's night's episode, as he explained his reasons for quitting to partner Paige Thorne and his fellow islanders.

The latest instalment of the reality show saw tensions reach boiling point after Gemma Owen told ex-boyfriend Jacques that Adam Collard had been 'sla*ging' him off.

Jacques fumed as he stormed over to Paige and demanded to know what Adam had said about him.

Jacques O'Neill's Love Island journey came to an emotional end on Tuesday night's show (ITV)

As Billy Brown tried to help, Jacques told him to "f*ck off" as he continued probing Paige.

Later in the episode, Jacques confided in Paige that he was leaving the Villa, before bidding a tearful goodbye to the rest of the islanders around the firepit.

"They have deffo kept something that happened with Jacques unaired #loveisland," one Love Island fan mused on Twitter after the emotional exit scenes aired.

Luca was devastated to see his pal leave the Villa (ITV)

"Everything about this is making me think Jacques was asked by the producers to leave... like they could clearly see he wasn't coping? #LoveIsland," another viewer suggested, with a third adding: "Nahhhhh the producers defo told Jacques to leave. Cause why’s he so aggressive #LoveIsland."

"Luca said 'what he’s done' he has made the right decision… there’s defo more to this story that we don’t know about [eye-emoji]," one internet commentator wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night, prompting a previous Love Island champion to ask for more details.

"Explain cos I didn't hear this and I'm interested! X," Amber Gill asked the Twitter user, to which she replied: "In the diary room bit he said what he’s done he’s made the best decision, in leaving and deciding to go [eyes emoji] wonder what he meant by 'what he’s done'."

Many Love Island fans had other theories regarding Jacques' abrupt exit - citing his mental health as a possible reason for his decision.

"You are reading too much into this and not noticing how he has been struggling mentally the last week," one fan told others who suggested Love Island bosses had left some things unaired.

Another fan of Jacques - who lives with the condition ADHD - wrote: "I think the producers have had a quiet word in Jacques ear, seeing him self destruct and seeing his mental health deteriorate.

Some viewers praised Jacques for opening up about his emotions (ITV)

"It takes a lot to admit you're struggling though and despite his behaviour, I hope he gets the help he needs."

"Jacques head was gone," another supportive tweet began. "Mental health is real and it was inspiring to see him open up. He has made mistakes in the villa, no doubt, but tonight he has hopefully helped struggling men around the world open up to their friends and family."

ITV have a string of procedures in place to protect the mental wellbeing of the Islanders. As part of this, they are offered comprehensive psychological support, training on social media and financial management and an aftercare package which continues long after the show ends to support the mental health of all Islanders.

The Mirror has contacted Love Island representatives at ITV asking for comment.

Love Island continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub.

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