Love Island: why we all should give Jake Cornish a break

The incessant trolling of this year’s Islanders needs to stop

give jake cornish a break love island

by Hannah Mellin |
Updated on

Love Island's Jake Cornish has been labelled "fake", "a walking red flag" and a "game player" by viewers and his fellow Islanders for his treatment towards his girlfriend Liberty Poole.

Over the course of a week, we’ve witnessed Liberty doubt her boyfriend’s feelings for her as previous footage of him saying "he didn’t want to rip her clothes off" was shown to the whole villa during a task and when she confronted him about his true feelings, Jake hastily told her he did love her. Jake’s confession was branded a "cop out" and left Chloe Burrows and Faye Winter admitting that they felt that he was telling her "what she wanted to hear" at the worst possible time.

give jake cornish a break love island
©ITV Pictures

There was also a very weird moment where he was seen telling Liberty in bed to “remember we are on a TV show” after he held her back when she wanted to go and celebrate with BFF Kaz Kamwi after Tyler Cruickshank asked her to become exclusive. This moment led many to admit that they felt Jake was controlling his girlfriend and showed signs of gaslighting - a form of emotional abuse that includes manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts, memories, and the events occurring around them.

Jake also found himself at risk of being dumped from the Island as he was voted one of three "least popular" contestants and himself and Liberty were voted "most one-sided relationship" in a task.

give jake cornish a break love island
©ITV Pictures

All in all, it hasn’t been great for Jake. We’re not here to deny that Jake hasn’t done anything wrong, quite the opposite, but the onslaught of trolling that has ensued makes for uncomfortable reading, especially when 1) it targets his family outside of the villa, 2) it’s clear he does care about Liberty (even though he might not love her and has gone about it the wrong way) and 3) when we only watch an hour of an edited show each night.

CHECK OUT Love Island's most dramatic love triangles

Gallery

Love Island's Most Dramatic Love Triangles slider

Love Island's Most Dramatic Love Triangles1 of 14
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Lucie Donlan, Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague (series five)

When boxer Tommy Fury entered the villa with Curtis Pritchard, Lucie Donlan seemed to fancy him a bit. Then, when the blonde bombshell that is Molly-Mae Hague entered and took Tommy on a date, Lucie realised that she fancied him a lot. Unfortunately Molly-Mae was Tommy's preferred blonde and they're still together to this day. Seems like he made the right choice.

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CREDIT: ITV

Tommy Fury, Lucie Donlan and Joe Garratt (series five)

Even before Molly-Mae Hague entered the villa, Lucie Donlan found herself in another love triangle, caught between Tommy Fury and Joe Garratt. After Joe chose her in the recoupling and became pretty possessive, Lucie made it clear that she was keeping her options open and that Tommy was one of those options.

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CREDIT: ITV

Jourdan Riane, Curtis Pritchard and Amy Hart (series five)

While Amy Hart was in Casa Amor telling Molly-Mae Hague that she loved Curtis Pritchard, he was busy cracking on with bombshell Jourdan Riane back in the main villa. Although Curtis ultimately chose to stay loyal to Amy (when Jourdan rejected him), the damage was already done and the two soon went their separate ways but not before Amy uttered the now infamous line, "I was coming back here to tell you I love you."

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CREDIT: ITV

Rebecca Gormley, Luke Trotman and Siânnise Fudge (series six)

After Rebecca Gormley swiped Luke Trotman from Siânnise Fudge in a previous recoupling, a love triangle was born with both girls fighting to keep him. Eventually Luke put the matter to rest by choosing Siânnise and they went on to be the series runners-up.

Love Island's Most Dramatic Love Triangles5 of 14

Laura Anderson, Wes Nelson and Megan Barton-Hanson (series four)

Despite being in a couple with Eyal Booker, during a game of Snog, Marry, Pie, Megan Barton Hanson decided to make a play for Wes Nelson. Wes, who was in a couple with Laura Anderson at the time, decided to snog her back and the pair eventually coupled up much to Laura's dismay. Although the pair ended up dating after the show, Laura got the last laugh after coming in second with Paul Knops whilst Megan and Wes only came in fourth.

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CREDIT: ITV

Yewande Biala, Danny Williams and Arabella Chi (series five)

Almost immediately after asking Yewande Biala to show him more affection, Danny Williams started flirting with Arabella Chi and ultimately chose to recouple with her (the out-going model) instead of Yewande (the shy scientist). How predictable. But, as Yewande told Danny, "What goes around, comes around," as he found out when he and Arabella were booted out of the villa soon after.

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CREDIT: ITV

Amber Gill, Michael Griffiths and Joanna Chimonides (series five)

Amber Gill and Michael Griffiths originally seemed like the perfect couple until Casa Amor struck yet again and Michael's head was turned by bombshell Joanna Chimondes. The nation's outrage at his decision was confirmed when Amber later won the series despite having only known Greg O'Shea for a few days.

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CREDIT: ITV

Dom Lever, Jess Shears and Montana Brown (series three)

By the second day in series three, we already had our first love triangle after Jess Shears snogged Dom Lever during a challenge, despite the fact that he was coupled up with Montana Brown. Dom eventually realised that Jess was more his type leaving Montana fuming but, it seems that he made the right choice since Jess and Dom are still together to this day.

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CREDIT: ITV

Ovie Soko, Anna Vakili and Jordan Hames (series five)

After heading to Casa Amor, Anna Vakili's head was turned by basketball player Ovie Soko, leaving her former partner Jordan Hames single. But, once back in the villa, Anna couldn't seem to make up her mind between her two love interests and flitted between the two. Eventually, after a fight with Ovie, Jordan and Anna shared a steamy smooch on the balcony and got back together.

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CREDIT: ITV

Kaz Crossley, Josh Denzel and Georgia Steel (series four)

Georgia Steel and Josh Denzel seemed to hitting it off until Josh headed to Casa Amor and returned in a couple with Kaz Crossley. Ever "loyal" Georgia proceeded to tell Josh he'd "f--ked it" and later coupled up with Sam Bird.

Love Island's Most Dramatic Love Triangle11 of 14
CREDIT: ITV

Malin Andersson, Terry Walsh and Emma-Jane Woodhams (series two)

Malin Andersson and Terry Walsh were an unlikely couple but seemed to make it work. In fact, when Malin got kicked out of the villa, Terry nearly left with her but ultimately decided to stay whilst promising that he wasn't looking for love. However, as soon as Emma-Jane Woodhams arrived, his tune changed completely and the two were soon having sex on top of the covers. And who could forget that showdown that we got between Terry and Malin later. Iconic.

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CREDIT: ITV

Molly-Mae Hague, Tommy Fury and Maura Higgins (series five)

When Maura Higgins entered the villa, she immediately set her sights on Tommy Fury despite the fact that he was already in a couple with Molly-Mae Hague. Tommy was clearly torn between the two for a while but eventually decided to stay with Molly-Mae and the rest, as they say, is history.

Love Island's Most Dramatic Love Triangles13 of 14
CREDIT: ITV

Sam Gowland, Chris Hughes and Olivia Attwood (series three)

After initially being paired with Sam Gowland, Olivia Attwood's head was soon turned by late-entry Chris Hughes much to Sam's dismay. Liv and Chris eventually coupled up and after MANY bumps in the road, came in third place together.

Love Island's Most Dramatic Love Triangles14 of 14
CREDIT: Getty

Zara McDermott, Adam Collard and Rosie Williams (series four)

Adam Collard flitted between women during his short-lived stint on Love Island from Kendall Rae Knight to Rosie Williams, then to Zara McDermott, much to Rosie's dismay. Adam was slammed on social media for his treatment of Rosie but managed to slightly redeem himself by making a go of things outside the villa with Zara, however the real-world romance was short-lived.

WATCH Hugo, Lillie and Lucinda reveal the secret conversation CUT from the show | Love Island Secrets

Jake has not handled himself well. The scene where Liberty had to basically ask her boyfriend to tell her he loved her was hugely uncomfortable and I felt for her (not the same when you have to ask for it, right?) and she definitely deserves a lot more than what he is currently giving her. He seems to be more worried about what everyone else thinks of him than he does about Liberty’s feelings and you definitely shouldn’t say you love someone if you don’t mean it.

But this year, many Islanders have done bad things, Liam Reardon for example, acted extremely disrespectfully towards Millie Court in Casa Amor, but because he admitted his wrongs (got found out) and basically rolled out the red carpet to get her back, all is forgiven.

Faye’s screaming outburst towards Teddy Soares after Casa Amor was not okay, it was horrible, but after a teaser for Tuesday night’s episode saw Faye shouting at Jake and calling him "fake", some viewers took to Twitter to say that she can scream at Jake because he deserves it. Are we really picking and choosing who deserves to be screamed at when we’re not actually in the villa?

“Finally this attitude towards Jake #loveisland,” wrote one whilst another added, “FAYE TAKING HER ANGER OUT ON JAKE WE LOVE TO SEE IT #loveisland.”

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Jake, who was in a seven year relationship before joining the show, hasn’t done much to redeem his actions and it’s clear he’s a huge overthinker, but he is willing to have calm conversations about his behaviour. You may disagree, but it's clear he does have feelings for Liberty, he just doesn't act on them the right way - something many of us have been guilty of. Are we all perfect when it comes to how we handle new relationships? In the words of Chloe, no way. Jake said it himself, he didn't expect to fall in love with anyone again, could he just be being cautious?

You may want Jake out of the villa and you may want Liberty to dump him, realise her worth and go on to win the 50k by herself, but the incessant trolling of this year’s Islanders needs to stop.

After all, aren't we supposed to #BeKind?

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