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Love Island already at centre of racism storm over coupling process

The episode instead focused mainly on her fellow islanders

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Love Island viewers have complained that Yewande Biala isn’t getting enough screen time.

During Monday night’s launch, viewers slammed the show after Yewande, an ethnic minority contestant, was picked last during the coupling ceremony for the fourth year in a row.

Now, viewers are convinced Yewande is getting less screen time than her fellow islanders – with last night’s episode focusing mainly on Lucie Donlan, Tommy Fury, Joe Garratt and Curtis Pritchard.

Viewers are convinced Yewande is getting less screen time than her fellow islanders (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Love Island viewers already fed up with Lucie’s ‘annoying’ catchphrase

One fan wrote on Twitter: “I’ve had enough of Love island. Why is it always the black girls that are getting overlooked. I’m sorry but @yewande_biala is the prettiest girl on this season… lads open your eyes.”

Another said: “Unpopular opinion? But Yewande’s worth 100 Lucies and she should be getting AS MUCH SCREEN TIME JUST SO SHE CAN BLESS MY TV!!!”

A third tweeted: “I feel so bad for Yewande, she deserves so much recognition and screen time #LoveIsland.”

One person asked: “Where’s Yewande’s screen time please??? #

But it wasn’t just Yewande who didn’t have much screen time last night.

Callum Macleod and firefighter Michael Griffiths – who had initially coupled up with Yewande by default – weren’t seen much.

The episode instead focused on drama surrounding surfer Lucie, boxer Tommy, catering company owner Joe and dancer Curtis.

A representative for Love Island told the Mirror: “We can’t show everything that happens in the villa due to time constraints.”

Yewande wasn’t picked during the first coupling ceremony (Credit: ITV)

The new drama comes after the show was embroiled in a race row over the first coupling.

Many viewers complained after Yewande failed to get picked, Michael got dumped by Lucie in favour of Joe, while Sherif Lanre didn’t get picked at all.

Former Love Island contestant Marcel Somerville criticised the ITV2 reality show after Yewande followed in his and other minorities, Malin Andersson and Samira Mighty’s footsteps of not being picked on launch night.

He told The Sun: “The one thing that lets the show down is when they’re doing their casting they don’t take into consideration people’s tastes.

Read more: Love Island viewers threaten to boycott show after launch episode

“The casting progress needs to change. They need to listen and think about who they’re putting in the villa and at what times.”

He added: “As a person of ethnic background you do feel ‘Is it because I’m black?’ You do have that go through your head.”

Ent Daily has contacted reps for Love Island for comment.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

Did you watch Love Island last night? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

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