Joe Garratt’s mum has hit back at Women’s Aid, admitting their comments have left herself and the ‘Love Island’ star’s sister "devastated".
Adina Claire, co-chief executive of women’s charity Women’s Aid, claimed the ITV2 show contestant was showing "possessive behaviour" towards fellow Islander Lucie Donlan, but Joe’s mum Rachel Garratt has claimed they didn’t contact her and have left "two women very upset and uncomfortable".
She said: "They never contacted us.
"This charity, which is so interested in women’s protection, have made two women very upset and uncomfortable. His sister is devastated by all this and so am I."
Rachel also insisted Joe – who was axed from the island last night (18.06.19) after viewers voted for him and Elma Pazar to depart the show in a double dumping – "doesn’t emotionally control anyone".
She told MailOnline: "I know my son and he’s not like how he’s being portrayed.
"Both myself and his sister are his best friends. He doesn’t emotionally control anyone.
"I see him every day of the week and there’s no way he would make a girl cry. He’s a normal, loving 22-year-old lad.
"He’s got hundreds of friends, he goes to the gym every day. They all love him. He goes and plays rugby at the local club, they all love him.
"No friend he’s got, boy or girl, nor any of his ex-girlfriends have got a bad word to say about him. It’s a real shame this has happened."
It comes after 302 people complained to Ofcom about Joe’s apparent treatment of partner Lucie, after he appeared to suggest she spend more time with the girls in the villa.
Adina said: "Controlling behaviour is never acceptable, and with ‘Love Island’ viewers complaining to Ofcom in record numbers about Joe’s possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it.
"Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage.
"’Love Island’ viewers are now very vocal in calling out unhealthy behaviour between couples on the show, and this is a positive development."
But Lucy’s mum Cellie Donlan, has said she has "no worries" about her daughter and feels the surfer is "very happy" on the show.
She said: "Lucie should stay on the show. We’ve got no worries over her what so ever, she’s very happy. The support given to her and us as a family by ITV has been amazing."
Joe Garratt’s mum defends her son
