Iain Stirling, the narrator of ITV’s Love Island, made a joke during the most recent episode of the dating programme that did not go over well with viewers.
Mal Nichol, a recently divorced islander, asked Sammy Root whether he’d ever been stung by a bug, and Iain, 35, took this as a chance to make a remark about Nigerian Princes.
‘Mal wants to know if Sammy has ever been stung,’ he began.
‘Well, there was that one time when he gave his bank account details to a Nigerian Prince who claimed to have won the lottery,’ he said in the voiceover.
Some fans were taken aback by the hilarity, while others were outraged by the choice of words.
One viewer wrote: ‘The Nigerian Prince “joke” on @ITV @LoveIsland tonight was disgusting & racist – Iain Stirling @IainDoesJokes should be ashamed.’
They also expressed optimism that Ofcom, which regulates the media, will deal with the matter.
‘@Ofcom there have been so many tweets about this tonight – please ensure these complaints are handled accordingly #loveisland.’
Another added: ‘Iain is getting a lil too comfortable, tf was that Nigerian prince joke.’
The Nigerian Prince “joke” on @ITV @LoveIsland tonight was disgusting & racist – Iain Stirling @IainDoesJokes should be ashamed. @Ofcom there have been so many tweets about this tonight – please ensure these complaints are handled accordingly #loveisland
— Nala Lorell (@Nala_Lorell) June 27, 2023
Iain is getting a lil too comfortable, tf was that Nigerian prince joke 🤨 #TALKSWITHASH
— E🤍 (@Em_13x) June 27, 2023
Nigerian Prince?! Shut up Iain Sterling 🙄 #LoveIsland
— J. (@_JulieJulez) June 27, 2023
Nahh I can’t get over Ian’s Nigerian joke when there’s 3 Nigerians in the villa. OFCOMMM #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/MZosxQM0Ul
— #FreePalestine 🇵🇸 (@SaintLow_Rent) June 27, 2023
Love Island was also recently chastised for statements Stefflon Don made on Aftersun about Medhi Edno’s sexuality.
‘I don’t know if he even likes females, I’m not going to lie,’ she told presenter Maya Jama, 28, and the live audience.
‘Oh no,’ Maya said while the audience collectively gasped before booing in response.
‘I’m not sure you know,’ Stefflon, 31, continued. ‘Or he likes both. He’s giving a bit of both.’
