EXCLUSIVE ‘Bosses refuse to bow down to the public over a moral issue’: Love Island have ‘no intention’ of axing Ollie Williams after he was exposed as a ‘big game hunter’
Love Island bosses have ‘no intention’ of axing Ollie Williams after he was exposed as a ‘big game hunter who posed with an array of dead animals he killed in Africa.’
Producers of the ITV2 series refuse to ‘bow down to the public on a moral issue’ as they don’t believe keeping Ollie, 23, on the show will affect viewing figures.
An insider told MailOnline: ‘It is highly unlikely Ollie will be booted off the series. He’s part of the lineup and already filmed the first episode – bosses see no reason to kick him off.’
Staying put: Love Island bosses have ‘no intention’ of axing Ollie Williams after he was exposed as a ‘big game hunter who posed with an array of dead animals he killed in Africa’
A source continued: ‘Love Island cast Ollie out of thousands of applicants and are sticking to their decision.
‘They’re hoping this will all blow over once the audience gets to know Ollie after seeing him on screen.’
ITV previously denied any suggestion that he has hunted for sport after pictures emerged of Ollie posing alongside a variety of dead animals.
Defiant: Producers of the ITV2 series refuse to ‘bow down to the public on a moral issue’ as they don’t believe keeping Ollie, 23, on the show will affect viewing figures
A network spokesman said: ‘It is categorically untrue to suggest Ollie is involved in hunting for sport.
‘Ollie is a passionate conservationist and worked with an anti-poaching unit in Mozambique.
‘Conservation is crucial to the survival of animals and as part of that work Ollie was involved in the culling of sick animals who were a threat to the health of the herd.
‘There is a very big and important difference between trophy hunting and the conversation work Ollie has previously been involved in.
‘At no point has Ollie organised or booked anybody to go to Africa to shoot game.’
Denial: ITV previously denied any suggestion that he has hunted for sport after pictures emerged of Ollie posing alongside a variety of dead animals
Love Island viewers have been in uproar after photos of the heir to the 2,000-acre Lanhydrock estate in Cornwall emerged of him proudly posing beside a warthog, water buffalo and giant eland to promote his hunting business Cornish Sporting Agency.
It offered ‘unforgettable sporting experiences’ in Mozambique and South Africa, as well as bird shooting events in south west England.
The agency’s website was taken ‘offline’ in November 2018 but, according to Companies House records, Oliver Sebastian James Williams is still the company’s active director.
Not happening: ‘It is highly unlikely Ollie will be booted off the series. He’s part of the lineup and already filmed the first episode – bosses see no reason to kick him off,’ an insider told MailOnline
Controversy: Love Island viewers have been in uproar after photos of the heir to the 2,000-acre Lanhydrock estate in Cornwall emerged of him proudly posing beside a warthog, water buffalo and giant eland to promote his hunting business
Reality stars such as Made In Chelsea’s Lucy Watson, TOWIE’s Mario Falcone and Apprentice candidate Luisa Zissman have threatened to boycott the debut winter series over ‘spoilt rich kid’ Ollie being part of the competition.
Luisa, 32, posted on Instagram: ‘Killing beautiful innocent animals in their habitats and homes is sickening.
‘Why is he being given a huge platform on one of the most popular TV shows?’
Anger: Celebrities were also quick to criticise Ollie, with former apprentice star Luisa Zissman slamming him on Instagram
Angry: Luisa wrote in a long post: ‘Killing beautiful innocent animals in their own homes and habits is sickening’
Outraged: Re-posting an article on the scandal, Former Love Island star Malin Andersson slammed Ollie on Twitter
Mario, 31, added: ‘Disgusting… How have Love Island missed this?’ while Lucy, an avid vegan, simply said: ‘Disgusting.’
At the point of publishing almost 5,000 viewers have signed a petition to remove Ollie from the series in protest against of his ‘sick and sadistic hobby.’
Twitter user Becky Edmonds tweeted: ‘Get Ollie Williams off Love Island before it begins, no one wants to watch someone who kills endangered animals for trophy pictures.’
Natasha Anne said: ‘Of course, we all know how sickeningly superficial and vacuous #LoveIsland is but – the fact that the producers/casting completely missed/overlooked the disgusting activities that Ollie Williams indulged in is beyond irresponsible, immoral and outright t***ish.’
Hitting out: The news has prompted dozens of fans and a host of stars to call for him to be ditched from the ITV show
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