LOVE Island legend Marcel Somerville has defended Ronnie Vint and Joey Essex after they were accused of "gaslighting" the girls.
The lads have been slammed by ITV2 viewers for "stringing" on the girls and "using" them during the last two weeks.
Bombshell Grace Jackson has rekindled her romance with ex flame Joey, leaving Samantha Kenny distraught, while Tiffany Leighton picked Ronnie for the overnight stay, which upset Harriett.
Some have hit out at the boys for their cruelly leading Samantha and Harriett on.
But Marcel, who appeared on series three of the show back in 2017, said the boys are simply "playing the game" for a storyline.
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Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Marcel said: "Everyone that goes on there, they know that they semi have to play the game and go in there and create situations and try and make the most of situations to get the best out of what’s going on on the show.
"I don’t really like to use the word gaslighting, everyone has gone onto the show for their own reasons – to find love, or to have a good summer, or whatever it is.
"If their personalities are coming across in a certain way, then maybe that’s their personality.
"The people that try to be someone that their not, so the people that are doing the stirring and gaslighting – maybe they think that’s what they need to do to be a big part of the show but as time goes on they will start settling into the villa and become more themselves and be a bit less chaotic."
Last week, Marcel said he was convinced that Joey will win the show but said it won't be with Samantha.
He told us: "I’ve known Joey for a long time, it was funny seeing him walking in there.
"I was like ‘what is this guy doing?’, he’s literally completed reality TV, everything that you can potentially do, he’s done – so ratings to him. I personally think he might just win it.”
It comes after Ronnie was called a "disgrace" last night and have called for him to be axed next following his "cruel" behaviour.
The drama unfolded the night before when the gang played a game of beer pong and Ronnie snogged Tiffany, in front of current partner Harriett's face, leaving her upset.
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The next day, Ronnie headed on a sleepover with Tiffany and enjoyed another kiss that evening.
Ronnie said: "What happens at the sleepover stays at the sleepover", while jokingly asking fellow Islander Uma: "Who's Harriett?"
While days earlier, Ronnie was enjoying getting to know Harriett and cosying up to her in bed.
One wrote: "Ronnie is a disgrace, 27 acting like a 14 year old."
A second posted: "Ronnie is so cruel to Harriett."
A third asked: "What are we as a nation going to do about getting Ronnie out of the villa?"
While many fans also hit out at Joey for doing the same thing.
Joey enjoyed rekindling his romance with ex Grace Jackson while away in the second villa and even enjoyed a swimming pool smooch.
He made his feelings clear in the evening when he told the rest of the group at dinner that he was the "happiest guy" and all his "dreams had come true" since Grace entered as a bombshell.
But some were left gutted for Samantha and thought Joey's actions were out of order.
One wrote: "Joey doesn't care about anyone but himself he should have at least said something to Sam."
A second posted: "What happened to Joey be honest with Sam and how he feels. Hoping someone new comes in for Sam."
