Love Island is back on our screens, and with it a new cast of singletons are heading to the villa. Among this year's hopefuls is 29 year-old Patsy Field, who has a condition called Era's palsy, where one arm is weaker or experiences a loss of motion.
However, former islander Tasha Ghourihas spoken out about the limited representation of people with disabilities in the new series. Tasha, 25, who was the show’s first ever deaf contestant when she appeared on the series in 2022 wrote sarcastically: ‘Love seeing the inclusivity within the Love Island cast… feels like we’re going backwards.’
When fans pointed out that Patsy is the first Love Island contestant to have Era's palsy, Tasha shared a follow up video explaining, ‘I am aware that there’s a girl coming in that has a disability, but this is my own opinion. I feel like TV shows just like to tick a box and then move on, like ticking that one box like having that one person with a disability,’ she said.
‘I want to see more, I want to see maybe two or three people. That is just my pure opinion on how I feel when it comes to TV shows. I see it happen so much, like, ‘We’ve already had someone with that disability before.” It’s a bit of a weird way to do it. It’s amazing that there’s a girl going in with that, but I still want to see more,” she added.
It’s not the first time a former islander with a disability has criticised the show. Back in series seven, the casting of Hugo Hammond, who has club foot and has played cricket for the English PD (Physical Disability) team, led to him being called Love Island's first disabled contestant in the press.
Among those criticising this narrative was Niall Aslam, who appeared on the show for just a week in series four. Niall is autistic, and said that he suffered with depression and psychosis after appearing on the show. On Instagram, Niall wrote, ‘Autism is a registered disability and due to my needs not being met I ended up in psychiatric and have to live with problems here on out. I fully support inclusion but not minimising problems people face with autism even though it’s not fully visible doesn’t mean it ain’t there and what happened to me showed that.”
What is Erb’s palsy?
Erb's palsy, or Erb-Duchenne palsy, is a condition that occurs when a baby is injured during birth and one or more of the five main nerves that supply movement and feeling to the arm are damaged during a difficult delivery. It causes an abnormality in movement of an arm, and affects approximately one in 750 babies.
Who is Patsy Field?
Hailing from Orpington in Kent, Patsy Field is a 29-year-old office administrator. One of the original islanders to enter the villa in series 11, she’s described herself as a ‘big personality’ who won’t be afraid to ‘bring the sass’ to the villa.
What has Patsy Field said about her disability?
Speaking about her condition ahead of the series, Patsy said, ‘I’ve got something very special about me which is my disability, it’s a condition I was born with called Ebs Palsy. It doesn't define who I am, but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and It’s never held me back.’
Patsy also has said that the show's producers have 'covered all bases' in adapting the show for her. She told The Sun, 'No stone has been left unturned when it comes to, 'Am I happy to go in there and get involved with day to day activities?' and stuff like that. I struggle to put my hair up, but I always just find something to rest my arm on, or I often - you'll probably see me in there - I'm using my friend's shoulder to put my arm on, so I can lift it up and do my hair. As the show plays out, you'll be able to see things I can and can't do.'