Love Island producers have released a statement following public body shaming of contestant Curtis Pritchard after his apparent weight gain on the show.

Love Island regularly receives millions of viewers daily, with the most popular episode this series having attracted more than six million. So it goes without saying that these people have opinions. Twitter is notoriously 'live' between 9 and 10pm nightly - the show's air time - with spectators posting thoughts, opinions and conspiracies along with the popular #LoveIsland hashtag.

Most recently, Islander Curtis Pritchard has been the focus of many of these comments, with viewers cruelly jibing him for gaining weight over the eight weeks he's been in the villa.

Some Twitter users have posted side-by-side images of the dancer's pre-show (likely retouched) portrait displaying abs, versus a side-on shot of the 23-year-old where he's not tensing, as apparent 'proof' of his transformed body. Others, meanwhile, have simply made mean comments.

"Curtis has really gained weight. My goodness," wrote one person. "Did Curtis have that gut when he walked in?" questioned another.

Joel Anderson

In response to the body shaming, a spokesperson for Love Island has since told the Mirror Online: "It is incredibly irresponsible that any Islander would be body-shamed in this way and we would always discourage anyone from making appearance-based comments that could be hurtful to the islanders and their families."

Love Island has been particularly under the microscope this year by viewers following the tragic deaths by suicide of two former contestants. The deaths of Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon triggered important conversations about the mental health of people who take part in the popular series, so to see needlessly critical comments about an Islander's appearance seems harsh and dangerous territory to walk.

"It is astonishing that there have been calls for body diversity yet an islander who has allegedly put on weight is now being trolled because of it," continued the spokesperson.

ITV

Despite the public criticism about his body, Curtis and partner Maura Higgins made it through to tonight's final where they'll go up against Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea, and Ovie Soko and India Reynolds. Anton Danyluk and Belle Hassan were dumped from the island following a viewer vote in last night's show.



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Catriona Harvey-Jenner Digital Features Editor Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs.

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