LOVE Island star Alex Bowen has said that the ITV show is “just a game” and bosses can’t be responsible for trolling.
The 30-year-old and his glamorous wife Olivia, 28, were runners-up on the 2016 series and are expecting their first child in June.
But despite finding love on the show, Alex said that the producers put your mental health to the test with challenges such as Casa Amor that sparked more than 4,000 complaints last year.
The Wolverhampton-born fitness entrepreneur said: “To me ITV knows what they are doing. Love Island has been massive for six or seven years now.
“To be honest I am on the fence with it all because, to me, if you sign up for a show like that they do put you through loads of tests and stuff and test your mental health.
“I mean at the end of the day it is a game. You made the choice to sign up and go on the show.
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“To me, the trolling and things like that is out of ITV’s control. That is out of anyone’s control. You are never going to stop that because it is freedom of speech.”
Asked about the notorious Casa Amor, the dad-to-be continued: “People want to watch arguments, people want to watch drama so I just think keep it all in.
“If you don’t want to watch it, don’t watch it and if you don’t want to be on the show, then don’t be on the show. That is it!”
It comes as Love Island have revealed their most diverse line-up yet with a paramedic, pharmacist and the show’s first ever deaf contestant.
Meanwhile Alex is keen to break the embarrassment around male hair thinning and has collaborated with grooming brand Toppik to promote their fibre-building products.
“The jokes between lads and stuff like that can get a little bit harsh and I think a lot of people are scared to come forward and say they are losing their hair and using different products.”
Alex revealed that he uses the powder to give the appearance of a fuller hairline and said: “My left side has just gone back a little bit more than the right so I just straighten it up a little but every morning when I get up.
“But no one really notices. Honestly it is good stuff!”
