Last night on Love Island, we all saw the return of the heart rate challenge. Each year, islanders wear heart-rate monitors and costumes picked for them by producers - some of them more sexy than others - and have to lapdance in front of the Islanders sitting by the firepit, one by one. Then, at the end, an awkward truth is revealed for each Islander: which other Islander made their heart race the most.
Eek.
Turns out it was a bit awkward for real-life exes Gemma Owen and Jacques O’Neill, as it was revealed that they both made each other’s heart race the most, even though Gemma is in a couple with Luca Bish, and Jacques is with Paige Thorne.
But another person who found the whole thing excruciating was clearly Gemma’s dad, footballer Michael Owen, who simply tweeted the emoji with its hands over its face, presumably referencing the challenge which saw his daughter - a professional horse rider - dance with a riding crop.
Interestingly, it was also recently revealed by dumped Islander Ikenna Ekwonna that everyone in the villa knew Gemma’s dad was Michael Owen from day two - which has lead some fans to speculating whether that’s why Luca Bish suddenly became so interested in Gemma.
Last night’s challenge also caused drama for Paige Thorne, when it was revealed that Jacques' heart raced for Gemma the most. Paige - who is currently in a couple with Jacques - told the Beach Hut: ‘There’s no smoke without fire. His heart could have raced for any other girl - Tash, Danica, anyone - I wouldn’t have cared. But an ex, like come on, leave it in the past.’
Later, when the pair spoke about it, fans criticised Jacques for his attitude towards Paige, as he called her ‘pathetic’. ‘Jacques calling her "pathetic" I need him humbled,’ author Bolu Babalola tweeted.
Love Island commentator Murad Merali tweeted: ‘The way Jacques is speaking to Paige? Big big red flag.’