Love Island bring in strict new rule for auditionees – after ‘racism’ scandal
LOVE Island hopefuls desperate to bag a spot in the villa this summer must adhere to a strict new rule following several ‘racism’ scandals.
Show bosses are implementing the rule for auditionees after some previous contestants found themselves at the centre of a storm.
In 2019, Chris Taylor sparked controversy over a huge tattoo that is etched onto one of his pecs.
The tat features a woman wearing a Native American headdress and it is sitting alongside an inking of an owl.
Chris also has the Latin phrase on his hip: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
Fans and even a Native American charity branded his inkings as “offensive” and “racist”.
Two years later, heavily tattooed Danny Bibby entered the villa and also came under fire for some of his body art.
Danny’s tattoo artist was even forced to hit back after the singleton was wrongly accused of having a ‘German soldier’ on his stomach.
It actually turned out to be a sketch of the fictional character Tommy Shelby from the hit show Peaky Blinders.
Danny also had the numbers ’13’ and ’28’ on his wrists, which some people incorrectly compared to the numbers inked onto victims of the Holocaust.
But in order to fend off any ‘racism‘ rows again, Love Island bosses have brought in a brand new rule.
People auditioning for Love Island are now required to chat to show bosses about any tattoos they have and the meanings behind them during the audition stage.
A source exclusively told The Sun: “This rule was quietly bought in a couple of years ago – potential contestants have to talk through their tattoos and the meanings of them when they meet show casting.
“Then, before they make it into the villa, they do an audio recording of what their inkings are about.
“It’s just so there are no misunderstandings when they enter the villa.”
Chris Taylor – who has since gone on to take part in spin-off series Love Island All Stars – raised the eyebrows of fans when he first entered the villa five years ago.
The Native American Rights Fund even branded his tattoos “inappropriate and offensive”, with a spokesman adding: “These images show a lack of understanding about the history of Native people, and that we are still alive today – we are not mascots, we are people.
Sky show that was axed from TV over ‘Nazi inkings’
SKY History was forced to cancel a new series after just one episode due to a contestant’s tattoos.
In 2020, carpentry talent show The Chop was axed over Darren Lumsden’s elaborate face inkings.
The hopeful – nicknamed The Woodman – had various symbols on his face, which it was claimed have been used by Nazi extremists.
One was of the number 88, which is often used as a numerical code for “Heil Hitler”.
Lumsden insisted that similarity between his tattoos and Nazi symbols was “entirely incidental” and said background checks had ruled out any connection to racist or far-right extremist groups.
He also said the ’88’ referred to 1988 – the year his father died.
But Sky still took the decision to pull the series, which was hosted by Lee Mack and Rick Edwards, from the airwaves.
A statement given to The Guardian said at the time: “A contestant’s tattoos included symbols that could be connected to far-right ideologies and could cause offence; we sincerely apologise for that, and we are sorry that our processes did not prompt further investigation at an earlier stage.
“The contestant continues to strenuously deny that he has, or ever had, far-right leanings.
“We are thoroughly reviewing our internal processes following the investigation. AETN UK and Sky History stand against racism and hate speech of all kinds.”
Two years later, Danny Bibby’s tattooist Sam Janbi was forced to hit back following a backlash over the islander’s stomach inking.
Sam, from Apollo Tattoo Arts, said: “Oh my god… It’s Thomas Shelby and his flat cap, with the razorblade and a Union Jack flag behind him.
“I’m genuinely struggling to see how they’ve got a German soldier out of this.”
He added: “I’m totally shocked by the reaction to his artwork. I don’t know how people are making this up.”
Love Island bosses are currently sorting through the thousands of applicants for this summer’s series, which is likely to kick off in June.
This week, The Sun exclusively revealed that producers are in talks with the daughter of a Celebrity Big Brother star to appear on the show.
Lauren Simon, 52, is known for both her roles on CBB and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, but her teenage daughter Gigi could now be set to steal her thunder by entering the villa.