LOVE Island fans have speculated that Jacques O’Neill was “pulled out of the show by bosses” as they spotted him struggling.
Viewers took to social media to suggest that that pro rugby star had been told to go home over concerns about his “mental health”.
Last night on Love Island, fans watched on as Jacques, 23, announced he was leaving the villa after struggling with his emotions.
The star was reduced to tears during the emotional episode after new bombshell and former contestant Adam Collard threatened his on-and-off romance with Paige Thorne.
In heart-breaking scenes, Jacques made the decision to walk and was left in tears as he told Paige, 24, and his co-stars his decision.
But fans are now convinced that it wasn’t up to the rugby lad to leave – and that PRODUCERS had actually orchestrated the move.
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Many viewers flooded social media to speculate that bosses had spotted Jacques “struggling” with his mental health, and made the decision to pull him from the line-up.
“I think the producers saw Jacques unravelling and realized he needed to be pulled out for his mental health and public reputation before he lost it on national TV,” one wrote to Twitter.
Another chimed in to agree: “I’m absolutely convinced Jacques has been pulled out or given an ultimatum by producers. He’s unstable.”
“I don’t believe Jacques would leave Paige in there especially after this. He either got kicked out or family pulled him out,” a fourth said.
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While a fifth wrote: “I really think that the producers are sending Jacques home for mental health reasons because he hasn’t handled those situations with Paige well at all.”
A sixth concluded: “I get the feeling the producers knew his mental health was struggling and told him to go.”
Last night, Jacques sat down with his partner Paige to explain he had made the decision to walk away from the ITV2 show.
He told her: “You mean so much to me, you know that? The past two weeks….things are hard in here, I’m finding it hard. I’m trying to put a brave face on but things are getting to me.
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“I want to be with you, like I want you to be my girlfriend. I want that, so I’m going to wait. I’m counting down the days until you get out.”
Addressing the Islanders, the tearful lad said: “So, I’m trying my best but I’m not a fake person, I’m not going to start faking things and act like I’m OK when things inside aren’t actually OK.
“It’s just not fair on the girl, she deserves better. So, I’m going to be leaving today.”
Fans at home were left heartbroken by the news and flooded social media to beg Jacques to get help outside the villa.
One person remarked: “I really hope Jacques is OK and gets the help he needs. Takes so much to admit it and put yourself first when your mental health ain’t great.”
A second added: “Regardless of Jacques’ actions in the Villa that was a really hard episode to watch, just hope he gets the help he needs outside the villa because social media can be so toxic.”
Love Island’s updated “duty of care” policy will see Islanders get counselling and support from ITV for 14 months after the show.
The news of Jacques departure was confirmed before the show on Tuesday, with show producers “full supporting” his decision.
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A spokesperson for the show said: “Jacques has made the decision to leave the Villa. We fully support his decision and look forward to seeing what’s next for Jacques.”
His family previously shared that the lad from Cumbria struggles with his emotions due to ADHD.
