The ITV2 reality series Love Island All Stars has been inundated with 200 formal complaints to broadcast regulator Ofcom following a heated bullying controversy that erupted during Wednesday night's episode. The villa descended into chaos as a furious bust-up between contestants Belle Hassan and Lucinda Strafford led to Belle swearing and storming out, leaving viewers appalled by the on-screen drama.
Escalating Tensions and Viewer Backlash
The conflict ignited when Lucinda Strafford stole Sean Stone from Belle Hassan during a villa shake-up, only for Belle to retaliate by making a play for Scott van-der-Sluis, despite his existing romance with Leanne Amaning. This sequence of events sparked a massive row involving five islanders, with Lucinda confronting Belle over what she termed 'double standards'. The ongoing spat has dragged across multiple episodes, fueling a surge in complaints to Ofcom by disgruntled fans watching at home.
Specific Complaint Figures and Incidents
According to reports, a total of 120 complaints were registered with Ofcom on February 6, with many viewers citing Belle Hassan's conduct as the primary reason for their grievance. This followed 53 complaints submitted over the episode aired on February 3, which featured Belle and Sean Stone locking horns in front of host Maya Jama around the fire pit. During Wednesday's episode, Belle launched into a furious rant at Lucinda, shouting, 'What are you sticking your nose in for? Stop making every situation about you,' before adding expletives and storming off. The confrontation continued inside the villa, with Belle breaking down in tears and questioning, 'Who are you lot to question my morals?'
Social Media Reactions and Family Intervention
Fans quickly flooded social media platforms with complaints, accusing Belle of bullying behavior. One viewer posted on X, formerly Twitter, stating, 'Belle is out of order for her behaviour against Lucinda. She hated her from the start and now is using Sean to not look like a bully.' Another chimed in on Reddit, writing, 'Belle has gone from being a really cool islander to an angry bully.' However, some defended Belle, with one commenter arguing, 'To say Belle is a bully is laughable. She stands her ground and shouts the loudest but that doesn’t make her a bully.'
Lucinda Strafford's mother intervened online amid the row, posting on Instagram, 'That was a disgusting piece of TV. The production team should be ashamed of themselves. Lucinda didn’t deserve to be violated like that.' The family released a statement urging kindness, noting, 'Words have impact, and this kind of negativity is unkind and damaging. Let’s remember to be kind. Not only to Lucinda, but to everyone.'
Previous Complaint Waves and Broader Context
This latest wave of complaints adds to a growing tally for Love Island All Stars, which previously faced a whopping 1,700 Ofcom complaints after viewers were left uncomfortable by clashes between Scott van-der-Sluis and Sean Stone. On January 27, 2026, Ofcom received 1,590 complaints related to that feud, with an additional 152 on January 26, 2026. The ongoing drama highlights the intense scrutiny reality TV faces regarding bullying and ethical conduct, as fans increasingly voice their concerns to regulatory bodies.
Love Island All Stars continues to air nightly at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX, featuring a lineup of returning islanders including Whitney Adebayo, Millie Court, and Curtis Pritchard, among others. The series aims to explore new connections in a familiar setting, but the recent controversies have overshadowed its romantic premise, sparking debates about the boundaries of entertainment and viewer responsibility.
