Love Island viewers left in tears at Jacques' emotional exit 😭
Viewers praised him for expressing his true emotions
Last updated 13th Jul 2022
He caused a bit of a stir over the last week with his behaviour during Casa Amor, but Love Island viewers were left sobbing during Tuesday night's (12th July) episode, when Jacques O'Neill left the villa.
Jacques has been struggling with his emotions over the last few days as he attempted to win back Paige, following his behaviour with both Mollie Salmon and Cheyanne Kerr during Casa Amor.
And after he was left reeling over Adam Collard's comments, Jacques pulled Paige aside to let her know the decision he had made, revealing he hadn't been feeling himself in recent times.
Getting emotional, Jacques said: "I just wish I could finish my journey off with you in here but I’m going to go home today."
“You’ve got to still enjoy your time here. Just do what you need to do and I’ll be waiting for you.”
Paige, who was also in tears, replied: “I don’t want you to go but also I want you to be happy and it hurts me seeing you in this way.”
The 23-year-old rugby player then said: "I just know for us to work I need us to get back to myself and the only way I’m going to get back to myself is going home."
Speaking later in the beach hut, Jacques admitted: "I’d say in the last week, the only thing keeping me in this place was Paige. That’s the only thing I was staying for. I’ve never felt this way for anyone so I just want to get home, be myself again and carry things on the outside.
"It’s just not fair on the girl she deserves better than me. It’s not the end of me and Paige because everyone knows what she means to me."
After announcing the news to his fellow Islanders around the Fire Pit, Jacques had both his cast mates and viewers at home in floods of tears, with many praising him for his 'brave' and 'correct' decision.
One fan wrote: 'Jacques head was gone. Mental health is real and it was inspiring to see him open up. He has made mistakes in the villa, no doubt, but tonight he has hopefully helped struggling men around the world open up to there friends and family. Hats off to you man seriously. #LoveIsland'. (sic)
Another added: 'I was barely holding it together until Jacques and Luca started crying, it doesn't matter whether you liked Jacques or you didn't, what he is going through has clearly messed up his mental health, I seriously hope Jacques will be okay on the outside❤️🙏🏻 #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK'. (sic)
A third wrote: 'Pls I’m crying over Jacques leaving????? Like sobbing crying ITV what have u done #LoveIsland', with a fourth writing: 'Why is my whole family sat crying their eyes out at love island 😢'. (sic)
Although many viewers urged Paige to leave with Jacques, at the time of publication, the paramedic is still on the show.
Check out all of the Love Island rules:
No getting drunk
According to 2017 contestant Kem Cetinay, contestants are allowed one small glass of wine or beer a night with dinner.
Being drunk's an absolute no-no, so sex while intoxicated is obviously against the rules too.
No masturbating
No solo sex acts are allowed in the villa, though obviously allowed to get jiggy with their partner.
No nudity
Contestants cannot be naked in front of other islanders, since the villa is technically a public space.
No books, phones or magazines
The islanders are given snazzy phones from their sponsor, Samsung (what else would they get their texts on?); but anyone sneaking their own mobile phone into the villa would risk being removed.
Same goes for books and magazines, too.
No inappropriate language or behaviour
This could cover homophobic, racist or aggressive language and is quite the broad rule. Inappropriate behaviour is again at producers' discretion, and would include violence and sexual harassment.
No discriminating against staff
Any Islanders who are rude to crew could run the risk of being booted off the show, and contestants must NOT take their mic packs off unless instructed to.
Follow the rule book
Simple. Contestants must obey the rule book they're provided with; which includes information on safe sex, consent and how to know if you're following the guidelines.
Just last week, after receiving online abuse for his actions at Casa Amor, Jacques' family released a statement where they revealed he was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine.
Revealing the condition means Jacques finds it difficult to express emotions, the statement read: 'Jacques was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 9 years old.
'By no means is this a get out clause for his actions but it is to show that he can fundamentally struggle with his emotions at times.
'He is an amazing person who I’m proud to call my friend/little brother.
'All the hate thrown towards Jacques doesn’t go to him directly….It comes to his loved ones who have always supported him and not just whilst he is on Love Island.
'Love Island, although real. Is still a show where the producers do have control and we see 45minutes out of the 1440 in 24hours.
'Please be kind♥️'. (sic)
Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2.
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