The reality personality, 23, decided to step down following the arrival of Adam Collard, 26, as she said: “Love Island was the worst decision of my life.”
Zac was left shaken by the arrival of former contestant Adam, who took aim at rugby player partner Paige Thorne, 24, before telling his fellow islanders that the sportsman was ‘immature’.
Games: Jacques O’Neill, 23, quit Love Island amid fears he would lose control of his actions after Adam Collard’s arrival
Adam, who was known for his womanizing ways, made a shock return to the ITV2 show this week after initially appearing in series four in 2018.
Gemma Owen’s ex Zac said he had reached breaking point after Adam arrived, telling the Sun: “I thought if I didn’t get away things could go horribly wrong and I could get physical.”
Zach said he removed his microphone and walked out the front doors of the villa before the producers eavesdropped, prompting him to demand to be left alone.
While viewers learned the TV personality had left the villa on Tuesday, she had actually left on Sunday.
He claims he had left the day before bosses pulled him away when he had a “welfare talk” about his condition.
Rocky road: Zac said joining the show was ‘the worst decision of my life’, admitting he had reached a breaking point on the show
She insisted she “couldn’t take it” anymore and was in tears, saying she wanted to return to the UK.
He added: “He broke me and I was already broken. I was crying my eyes out. I couldn’t stand it. I literally felt awful. It was the worst I had ever felt in my life.’
Zac’s family revealed during his time in the villa that he was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine and sometimes struggled to cope with emotional situations.
Mixing things up: Adam, 26, first appeared in series four in 2018 and lashed out at Zac, 23, after targeting his rugby player partner Paige Thorne, 24, following his entrance.
He stopped taking the drug Ritalin seven years ago and didn’t expect the condition to cause problems during his time on the show, despite bosses’ concerns.
Zac has since said: ‘Any little thing in the villa, by the end, it would start to bother me and I was just in such a big mess.
“I know the way I spoke to Paige was wrong. I tried to apologize and he kept asking why I did it. ADHD is not just about not being able to concentrate. It’s also about feeling very stressed, being very on edge.’
Unimpressed: Zac said he had reached breaking point after Adam arrived, telling The Sun: “I thought if I didn’t get away things could go horribly wrong and I could get physical” (Adam pictured on date with Paige after Zack’s departure)
Jacques was kept in a separate apartment after leaving the villa, during which he searched his name on the internet, leaving him horrified to see “everyone hates me”.
However, Jacques was pleased to find some normality as he trained with his old rugby team Castleford Tigers before speaking to the club’s welfare officer.
She added that she found solace in the messages she had received from other people diagnosed with ADHD.
Emotional: The rugby player called it quits after his rocky romance with Paige as he told others he ‘couldn’t be himself’ and left for his mental health
A spokesperson for Love Island told MailOnline: ‘We cannot comment on anyone’s medical records due to confidentiality and our own duty of care to islanders, however we have carried out rigorous and extensive checks to assess the physical and mental health of islanders before being cleared to enter the villa. This is something we take very seriously.
“As we said at the time, Zach made the decision to leave and we respected that decision. Islanders are welcome to leave if they choose and we would never put pressure on anyone to stay at the villa.’
Zach said he watched episodes of Casa Amor to “torture” himself, admitting he was “disgusted with myself” after watching his actions.
He said: “I’m going to wait for Paige outside, but I’m not going to watch the show again, I can’t.”
It comes after Love Island bosses spoke of Zac’s emotional exit from the show on Friday after fans suggested he “encouraged” him to leave.
Speaking to Deadline, producer Mike Spencer said: “We’ve never had a parent tell us they wanted their child out of the show. The contestants are all adults, so it’s up to them.”
Speaking to Deadline, producer Mike Spencer said: “Zach is amazing. We love Zac. When you’re dating, your emotions are naturally up and down. Finding love is not a simple thing, which is why the show is so relatable.
“Zach was on his own journey and he had a strong relationship with Paige, but sometimes you have to think about yourself and that’s what Zach did. We respected his decision to go home, but I think he’s excited to be on Aftersun on Sunday to discuss his journey.
“We’ve never had a parent tell us they wanted their child out of the show. The contestants are all adults, so it’s up to them more than anyone else.”
Mike explained that they talk to the families of the contestants every day and make sure they are updated regularly.
Following their own exits from the show, Charlie Radnedge, 28, and Antigoni Buxton, 26, have defended ITV following Jacques’ decision to leave.
Support: Following their own exits from the show, Charlie Radnedge, 28, and Antigoni Buxton, 26, have defended ITV following Jacques’ decision to leave
Charlie explained to The Mirror: “You have lots of therapy sessions afterwards and they are very supportive.
“Obviously, given the previous years, where there have been well-documented instances of bad things … from my perspective, I’m completely fine and healthy.”
The singer Antigone added: “I spoke to Jacques, he was in a very good mood. He had just had enough. He had been there for some time and he was ready to come back to reality.’
Love Island reps said their duty of care protocol is widely available.
It came as Love Island viewers shared their theories about Jacques’ exit with some suggesting that something was not quite right with Jacques’ departure.
Reaction: However, fans suggested that something was wrong with Zach’s departure and thought that he may have been encouraged to leave due to the declining state of metal or a no-show slump
They went on to theorize that it may have been encouraged to leave due to the declining health of the metal or due to an emission-free fall.
One person speculated: “I reckon the Love Island producers told Zac that his MH [mental health] he was falling and should consider going home. bearing in mind the suicide of previous contestants. they need to be more careful.
“I really felt for him and I really hope he’s OK. It’s never nice to see someone like that.’
Another agreed, saying: “The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that LI producers and/or the aftercare team talked to Jacques and helped him make the decision he did.
A different person said: “Obviously there’s a lot more to Zach leaving. I don’t believe it has to do with not being able to be himself. A little suspicious.”
Full Love Island duty of care protocols – ahead of 2021 series
Pre-shoot and shooting
Registered mental health professional who was involved throughout the series – from filming to aftercare.
Thorough psychological and medical assessments prior to filming, including assessments by an independent physician, psychologist and reports from each island resident’s medical history check.
Potential Islanders must fully disclose any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the villa and the production’s ability to provide them with a suitable environment.
Managing cast expectations: Detailed explanations both verbally and in writing about the implications, positive and negative, of being on the series are given to potential cast members throughout the casting process and reinforced in the contract so that it is clear.
Actors are told that they will have to consider all the possible consequences of being on the show and work through this decision-making process in consultation with their family and those closest to them, to ensure that they feel it is right for them.
The senior team on the ground have received training in Mental Health First Aid.
A welfare team exclusively dedicated to the islanders both during and after the show.
aftercare
Bespoke social media training and advice on finances and adjusting to life at home.
A minimum of eight treatment sessions will be offered to each Islander when they return home.
Proactive contact with islanders for a period of 14 months after the end of the series in which they appeared, with additional assistance provided where applicable.
Islanders are encouraged to secure management to represent them after the show and manage them if they choose to take part in other television shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities.
When contacted by MailOnline, a Love Island spokesperson said: “Zac has explained his reasons for leaving, which as we said in our statement and saw on air was his own decision.” While the show has been criticized by viewers, it’s fair to say that they have a cohesive duty of care structure for the contestants following the deaths of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon. Producers offer extensive care before, during and after the reality show, including increased therapy, social media training and even financial management. Love Island works with doctors and psychologists to ensure hopeful contestants’ mental health is strong enough to take part. Duty…
