For the past few weeks, Love Island has been entertaining British viewers.
And while the show is famed for its drama, viewers have found some of the scenes between Adam and the female Islanders increasingly uncomfortable. In fact, the charity Women's Aid and some viewers are accusing Adam of emotionally abusive behaviour and are criticising ITV2 for broadcasting it.
Adam entered the Love Island villa in the first week and was initially coupled up with Kendall whom he then ditched when Rosie arrived less than a week later. His head was momentarily turned at the arrival of Megan, who he said was more “his type" than Rosie.
However, he said some less-than-complimentary things about Rosie to Megan and was confronted by the former in a dramatic showdown in front of the rest of the Islanders.
After this confrontation, Adam decided to recommit to Rosie. They then spent 10 days coupled up together and sexual activity took place before another entrant, Zara, turned Adam's head again.
After his date with Zara, Rosie decided to confront Adam over his behaviour.
And as Rosie opened up to him, Adam just smirked at her.
Adam then turned on Rosie, saying that she was trying to make a scene in front of the others and that her behaviour was irrational.
At this point, Rosie was reduced to tears as she told Adam that he'd broken her heart, while he simply rolled his eyes.
After the scenes aired, viewers flooded Twitter to express their feelings about Adam's behaviour, with some calling for him to be removed from the show.
Anyone that says that Adam's behaviour isn't serious has clearly never had someone laugh in their face as they're crying. Gaslighting is so vicious and Adam needs to be kicked the fuck off the show.👊#loveisland https://t.co/q7tSQIFh1O
Adam is exactly like so many hideous ex and current boyfriends. The way he laughs when Rosie is upset, the gaslighting, the picking up and dropping women whenever it's convenient, using his popularity to manipulate others. He is disgusting and so is everyone like him. #LoveIsland
Many people suggested that his response to Rosie was borderline abusive.
Actually can’t believe the @ITV producers are keeping Adam on @LoveIsland, his behaviour is what can be expected from an emotionally abusive partner and him being kept on is only making it seem to be normal, acceptable behaviour
Couldn’t stop thinking about the way Adam treated Rosie. I want Adam off the show because he is a manipulative abuser. That just can’t run and this isn’t the first time #LoveIsland has had an abusive guy on the show.
And others accused him of gaslighting Rosie.
Adam is definitely gaslighting Rosie and displaying early red flags of emotionally abusive behaviour.
what adam is doing to rosie is called gaslighting, and it’s abuse.
Women's Aid issued a statement about how to spot the signs of "gaslighting and emotional abuse":
On the latest series of Love Island, there are clear warning signs in Adam’s behaviour. In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.
“[On Tuesday], Rosie called out Adam’s unacceptable behaviour on the show. We ask viewers to join her in recognising unhealthy behaviour in relationships and speaking out against all forms of domestic abuse – emotional as well as physical. It is only when we make a stand together against abuse in relationships that we will see attitudes change and an end to domestic abuse.”
On his official Instagram account, a representative for Adam published this statement, saying that Love Island was an edited reality TV game show.
UPDATE - A spokesperson for ITV2 sent a comment on behalf of Rosie to BuzzFeed News. She said:
I wouldn't want to label him abusive myself. He's only 22, he's still growing up, he just needs to be more mature when it comes to women. He's still trying to find himself and he doesn't know how to handle things in the right way. Hopefully he does it sooner rather than later as I don't want another girl to go through what I went through. He has a bit more learning to do.