It is officially the year of the “ick.” On Thursday, December 18, the UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, released its annual report on viewer complaints. The results were not surprising to anyone who spent their summer evenings shouting at the TV. Love Island has once again taken the top spot as the most complained-about show of 2025. But this year feels different. While viewers were angry, they were also tired. The term “the ick” usually describes a sudden turn-off in dating, but in 2025, the audience seemed to get the ick from the show itself.
The ITV2 dating show received a massive 14,121 complaints throughout its 2025 series. According to the new report, roughly three out of every ten complaints sent to Ofcom this year were about Love Island . While the show has always caused drama, this year’s complaints were a mix of serious concern and pure second-hand embarrassment. From alleged bullying to painfully staged romantic gestures, the 2025 season gave fans plenty of reasons to switch off—or pick up the phone to complain.
The Week That Broke the Internet
The biggest spike in anger came in late July. It was a week that many fans on social media described as “unwatchable.” The center of the storm was the treatment of contestant Shakira Khan. Viewers watched as Shakira appeared to be isolated from the main group of girls.
The drama peaked on July 24, an episode that alone drew 3,547 complaints. This was the night of “The Grafties,” an awards-style segment where producers showed clips of private conversations to the entire villa. The goal was to stir up trouble, and it worked too well. Shakira was shown in a bad light, and the reaction from the other Islanders felt harsh to the audience at home.
Viewers felt that Shakira was being targeted. Complaints flooded in about “bullying behavior” and “cliques.” Fans were worried about her mental health as she was seen crying multiple times while others rolled their eyes. It was uncomfortable to watch. It didn’t feel like fun summer TV; it felt mean. On July 22 and 23, thousands more complaints were logged, making it the most controversial week in the show’s recent history.
The “Ick” Factor: Cringe Moments of 2025
While the bullying allegations were serious, a lot of the fatigue this year came from “cringe” moments. This is where the “ick” really set in. The 2025 cast seemed more aware of the cameras than ever before, and it made for some very awkward television.
One of the most talked-about moments involved a contestant named Blu. When he was voted off by his fellow Islanders, he didn’t take it well. In a scene that went viral for all the wrong reasons, Blu refused to walk away, shouting, “I’m not fu***** leaving!” It was meant to be dramatic, but for viewers, it was just embarrassing. It shattered the illusion of the show.
Then there was Harrison. Harrison was a handsome contestant, but he gave viewers the “ick” with his constant need for validation. He would spend his evenings asking the girls if they liked his outfits, specifically his polo shirt and shorts combinations. It happened so often that it became a running joke online. It wasn’t bad behavior, just deeply uncool.
Another major complaint was about the “grand gestures.” In the past, asking someone to be your girlfriend on Love Island was a sweet moment. In 2025, it felt like a business transaction. When Dejon asked Meg to be his girlfriend, he made a big speech that many fans felt was rehearsed in the mirror. One viewer wrote on Reddit that they had to mute the TV because the “ick” was too strong. It felt like the contestants were acting for a clip on TikTok rather than finding love.
The “All Stars” Spin-off Didn’t Help
It wasn’t just the summer series that upset people. The year started with Love Island: All Stars in February, and that had its own problems. An episode on February 12 received 1,240 complaints. Again, the issue was alleged bullying between the returning stars.
The All Stars concept was supposed to bring back fan favorites. Instead, it brought back old arguments and bitter feuds. Seeing grown adults, who had already been on the show once, fighting in a villa felt exhausting. It contributed to the feeling that the format was getting stale. The magic of watching fresh faces fall in love was replaced by influencers fighting for screen time.
Ofcom’s Response to the Anger
Despite the thousands of complaints, Ofcom decided not to launch a full investigation. This might surprise some people. The regulator explained that while the scenes were upsetting, they are part of what viewers expect from reality TV.
Ofcom stated that the negative behavior towards Shakira was not “celebrated” by the show. They also noted that ITV has duty-of-care protocols in place. This includes training for contestants on how to handle conflict and respect each other. Essentially, Ofcom says that if you watch Love Island , you have to expect some drama.
However, this response highlights a disconnect. The viewers aren’t just complaining about rule-breaking; they are complaining about the vibe . They are saying that the drama has become too toxic and too produced. When a regulator says “this is to be expected,” it doesn’t fix the fact that the audience is unhappy.
Reality TV Fatigue
The dominance of Love Island in the complaints chart points to a bigger trend in 2025. Reality TV fatigue is real. The top ten list of complained-about shows was dominated by reality TV. Love Island , besides shows like Celebrity Big Brother also made the list (thanks to comments by Mickey Rourke).
Audiences are becoming smarter. They can spot a “producer-led” storyline from a mile away. In 2025, the tricks that used to work—like the “Grafties” or bringing back an ex—didn’t excite people. They annoyed them. The return of Megan Forte Clarke to the villa was another high-complaint moment. Instead of a shocking twist, it felt like a cheap unfair advantage, and fans saw right through it.
So, where does Love Island go from here? Despite the complaints, people are still watching. The show remains a massive hit for ITV. However, the tone of the conversation has shifted. In the past, people watched because they were addicted. Now, many are watching just to see how bad it gets.
The “ick” is a dangerous thing for a TV show. Anger can be good for ratings, but embarrassment is not. If viewers feel like the show is trying too hard, or that it is cruel, they eventually stop caring.
As we look toward 2026, the producers have a big job to do. They need to bring back the fun. They need to find contestants who are there for love, not just for brand deals. And most importantly, they need to stop producing drama that makes the audience feel sick. 2025 was the year Love Island gave us the ick. Hopefully, next year, it can give us the love back.
Love Island gives viewers the ick as it dominates Ofcom complaints in 2025
