STREAMING giants including Netflix and Prime Video eclipsed traditional TV channels for the first time last month.

Some 44.8 per cent of TV viewership was through the newer media platforms.

It compares with 20.1 per cent watching terrestrial TV — known as broadcast — and 24.1 per cent tuning in to cable such as Sky.

It is the first time streamers have surpassed the combined total of their rival categories.

Big titles such as Clarkson’s Farm on Prime, Andor on Disney+ and Netflix’s final season of dark thriller You have helped boost the platforms’ figures.

The milestone marks a steady shift which has seen a near-doubling of streaming viewership since 2021 when it made up 26 per cent of TV use.

Cable then dominated with 39 per cent while broadcast was on 25 per cent, figures reveal.

YouTube holds the biggest share for the streamers at 12.5 per cent.

Others contributing to the domination were Paramount (2.2 per cent) Warner Bros Discovery (1.5 per cent) and Peacock (1.4 per cent).

Karthik Rao, boss of data specialists Nielsen, which launched its Gauge report on viewing statistics in May 2021, said: “It’s a credit to media companies.

“They have deftly adapted their programming strategies to meet their viewers where they are watching TV, whether it’s on streaming or linear platforms.”

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Streaming giants including Netflix and Prime Video eclipsed traditional TV channels for the first time last month[/caption]

A “LOST” scene from a classic episode of Only Fools & Horses has emerged 29 years later.

It was written into the script of the Heroes & Villains episode of 1996 but never made it into the final cut.

BBC Press Handout

The lost scene never made the final cut of the episode[/caption]

BNPS

It has been signed by several cast members and could fetch as much as £3,000[/caption]

The Christmas special is better known for Del and Rodney dressing up as Batman and Robin to inadvertently thwart a mugging.

But there was also an extended scene involving Del later chasing down a mugger and knocking him unconscious with his suitcase full of hooky gear.

In the cut scene, it is scripted that a policeman then arrives and Del tells him “It’s alright officer, I caught him, he’s over there!”

But the policeman then walks over to the two men and arrests Rodney instead of the mugger.

The missing scene has emerged in a working script that belonged to the late Roger Lloyd Pack who played Trigger.

The 155 page script is coming up for sale at Bristol-based Auctioneum.

Auctioneer Andy Stowe described it as “comedy history, in black and white.”

Mr Stowe, a self-confessed Only Fools & Horses fan, said he started finding lines that he didn’t recognise while reading through the script.

Another scene written into the script that also never made it into the episode involves Del and Rodney rushing out of their flat just as a consignment of dodgy alarm clocks go off.

They go to Del’s Capri Ghia to find the group of muggers loitering around it but they are scared off as Del and Rodney arrive to the noise of the alarms going off in the background.

Mr Stowe said the muggers – one of whom was played by the actress Sheree Murphy – appeared to have a whole story arc that got cut out.

The script has been signed by other members of the cast including David Jason, who played Del Boy, and the late John Challis, who played snobby secondhand car dealer Boycie.

It is estimated to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000. Lloyd Pack marked his lines with black ink.

Mr Stowe said: “As a fan of the show myself, I was flicking through the script and began to read lines of dialogue that I didn’t recognise.

Getty Images - Getty

BBC

The lost lines were part of one of the show’s Christmas specials[/caption]

BNPS

Auctioneer Andy Stowe described the script as “comedy history, in black and white.”[/caption]

“As I carried on reading, I realised that these were scenes and lines that had been cut from the episode. Some of them are very funny.

“One particular partial scene that has been discovered surrounds the end of the chase between Rodney and a mugger.

“In the broadcast episode, Del Boy ends the chase by producing his suitcase from around a corner, knocking mugger unconscious.

“But, in the newly discovered script, this scene continues further. After the mugger is knocked down, a policeman arrives and Del says ‘It’s alright officer, I caught him, he’s over there!’

“The policeman walks over to the two men and arrests Rodney instead of the mugger.

“There are several scenes cut from the episode that focus on the plot of the muggers.

BBC

Only Fools and Horses aired for 22 years, from 1981 to 2003.[/caption]

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The script belonged to the late Roger Lloyd Pack[/caption]

“There was considerable work by the writer, John Sullivan, to establish the threat of them throughout the episode but most of these early scenes were cut from the final show.

“To have Roger’s actual script, with his lines marked within it, is really something special.

“This is comedy history, in black and white on the page.”

The vendor is a private collector who acquired the script from the Only Fools & Horses Society.

The 1996 Christmas special was watched by a record 21 million people.
The auctioneers say it as “comedy history in black and white on a page.”

The sale takes place on June 30.

GOING on holiday with grandparents is a treat many children look forward to, knowing they’ll be spoiled rotten with ice creams and round-the-clock attention.

But Emma Parsons-Reid isn’t your typical sweet granny.

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Emma Parsons-Reid blasts campers for hanging their undies out to dry or having noisy sex when on a camping trip with her grandkids[/caption]

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“The children always say going camping with me is a rite of passage,” says 58-year-old Emma, from Cardiff.

“‘If you survive this, you’ll survive anything,’ is how they look at it.”

Emma has exacting standards and has told off fellow campers for having sex within earshot of her grandkids. She even sees red if people hang their knickers outside to dry.

“I’m a nightmare nan 24/7 and that isn’t going to change just because we are on holiday,” she warns.

“I don’t like people draping underwear outside their tent or caravan. It’s awful, so uncouth.

“Pack enough pants for your trip and wash them when you get home – or go to a launderette.

“You don’t need pairs of pants hanging in a line like a ship’s sail. No one needs to see that. It ruins the holiday photographs.”

Camping has soared in popularity in recent years, with the UK camping market now worth £2.83 billion, up from £2.2 billion in 2019.

A whopping 42.2 per cent of Brits go camping at least once a year according to the latest statistics.

But for camping fan Emma, standards are slipping – and nothing is guaranteed to rile her more than the sound of couples getting frisky under the stars.

“People get randy when they go camping,” she says.

“I’m not sure if it’s the hot nights or the light evenings – coupled with a few drinks – but I get annoyed if I hear them.

“The girls aren’t silly. They know what it sounds like and it’s mortifying. I get especially annoyed if the noise is keeping me awake at 2am and they’re still going at it.”

The next morning, Emma says she takes great pleasure in waking up couples she’s heard bonking within earshot of her granddaughters – Elise, 17, Isabella, 15, Scarlett, 13, Lucy, 10, and Ivy, eight – during the night.

‘Bang and clatter’

“On my way to the shower block, I’ll bang and clatter and make lots of noise so they don’t get a lie in.

“On one occasion, when the girls were small, I made them sing a few rounds of Row, Row, Row Your Boat really loudly, just to put a couple off.”

It’s usually only her two youngest grandchildren that holiday with her now.

“The older ones don’t come any more and I think that’s a huge relief for them,” says retired civil servant Emma, who favours Welsh coastal resorts like Porthcawl.

I get especially annoyed if the noise is keeping me awake at 2am and they’re still going at it

“When they talk about camping with ‘Nooney’, which is what they all call me, it is like they are telling a survivor’s story.

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“The two youngest get very embarrassed. You see their faces drop when I march off to tell someone off, or start complaining about the state of the site to the manager.”

Emma reads fellow campers the riot act if they make noise after 10pm – and hates fire pits and barbecues.

“I don’t care if they get annoyed. Looking after the grandchildren can be tiring and I just need a good night’s sleep,” Emma, who holidays with her grandchildren and husband Kev 64, a retired engineer, to give her own daughter Hannah, 35, a break, says.

“And there is nothing worse than sitting downwind from someone’s barbecue smoke. I don’t want to get a whiff of other people’s smelly sausages.”

Emma packs M&S food for her family, often enjoying French sticks, ham and salad.

“Why can’t we go back to how it was in the 1970s, when everyone was polite and followed some camping etiquette?” says Emma, who refuses to spoil the children with ice creams or seaside souvenirs.

“They love going into the shops, but they’re full of plastic tat and I won’t allow it in my tent.

‘Awful’

“If they want to buy something and I think it’s decent enough, I’ll allow it, but I’ll make them do some chores first – maybe the washing up. I’m very tight and I work to a budget.

“And they eat enough rubbish without me buying them ice creams every day. We might have one meal out, but I’ll cook the rest of the time.”

On one occasion, Emma suffered a slipped disc and carried a pink lilo with her everywhere, so she could lie down – much to the embarrassment of the grandkids.

“The pain was awful,” she recalls.

“We’d only just arrived and I didn’t want to cut the holiday short, so I carried this everywhere we went so I could lie down on it. I couldn’t sit down, I had to lie down – even in restaurants and at the arcades.

“Everyone looked at me like I was insane and the kids were embarrassed.

“On one occasion, they made some friends who were asking them why their nan was always lying down on the lilo. They hated having to explain it every time.”

Who the kids play with is another bone of contention whenever they’re away.

“I don’t let them play with just anybody,” Emma says. “If they meet someone, I’ll go round to check out the family’s tent and make sure they are appropriate.

“If they are in a caravan or a campervan I’m usually OK with that, but I will have to walk past to assess the family. If they are drinking a lot, or if there are cans lying around or knickers hanging out, I’ll pull the grandchildren away. You can’t be too careful.

I have complained a lot, but we’ve had some fun times

“I certainly wouldn’t want them playing with rough kids, or rude children that answer back.”

In fact, if Emma’s granddaughters fail to find suitable playmates, Emma thinks nothing of recruiting some herself.

“I prefer to choose their friends for them,” she says. “You’ll often see me approaching more palatable kids if I see a nice family.

“I’ll ask them their names and say they can play with my grandchildren if they like.”

Emma often calls out slovenly campers and the state of site facilities.

“If I think someone is being too messy or leaving a lot of litter, I complain,” says Emma. “I’m always on the phone to the owner.

“The shower blocks are often disgusting, so that is a common complaint. People often leave a mess all around the basin, but the worst is when they forget their pants and leave them hanging over a rail. Disgusting. That would definitely have me marching down to the site office.

“And I can’t stand men that go to the showers with their guts falling over the top of their towels, letting it all hang out.

“‘Morning love,’ they go, but I blank them if they are disgusting.”

Despite her never-ending complaining, Emma says she and the granddaughters cherish their shared camping trips.

“The kids have the best memories of those times,” she says. “We are planning to go back to Fontygary in the Vale of Glamorgan for three nights in August.” 

“It’s always the nightmares they remember. They’ll say: ‘Do you remember when Nooney did this or that?’ and then fall apart laughing.

“They’ll remember me telling someone off for having sex, or when the dog had diarrhoea in the campervan.

“We once parked under an acorn tree and all night the acorns dropped onto the roof keeping us all awake.

“I have complained a lot, but we’ve had some fun times. The kids ridicule me, but it makes me smile as I know they won’t forget me when I’m dead and buried.”

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The gran takes great pleasure in waking up couples she’s heard bonking on the site[/caption]

BROOKLYN Beckham has bought a US mansion with his wife — in a move likely to deepen the divide with his parents.

Influencer Brooklyn, 26, and actress Nicola Peltz, 30, exchanged on the £10.5million property in Hollywood last week after previously renting.

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Brooklyn believes LA is full of opportunities[/caption]

The U.S. Sun

The five-bedroom, six-bathroom property boasts a state-of-the-art home cinema, gym and infinity pool[/caption]

It means he has put down roots 5,540 miles from his London-based dad David and mum Victoria – and shows no sign of returning home any time soon.

Last night a source said: “Brooklyn’s wife is American, as are her family whom he adores, and he feels his life now is Stateside.

“As an influencer he can work from anywhere but Brooklyn believes he has more opportunities in LA. It will be a dagger to the heart for his parents.

“Until now, the couple have always been renting so there was hope his relocation wouldn’t be permanent.

“This house purchase quashes any last hopes.”

The stunning five-bedroom, six-bathroom property boasts a state-of-the-art home cinema, gym and infinity pool.

Meanwhile, newly knighted former England captain David had lunch at an East End pie and mash shop with his mum Sandra and sister Jo.

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David Beckham has lunch at an East End pie and mash shop with his mum Sandra and sister Jo[/caption]

Tim Stewart

Nicola with billionaire father Nelson Peltz[/caption]

The dad of four revealed that his mother cried when she heard he was to be a Sir — and also wept during their meal.

News of Brooklyn’s house purchase comes after he snubbed his dad on Father’s Day.

David proudly displayed photos of his eldest son on Instagram — amid silence from across the Atlantic.

The duo have not spoken since Becks turned 50 on May 2.

Nicola, daughter of billionaire Nelson, has been accused of driving a wedge between parents and son, “effectively holding him hostage”.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn is said to blame his younger brother Romeo’s ex Kim Turnbull.

However, the DJ hit back this week after breaking up with Romeo, vehemently denying claims she previously dated Brooklyn.

She posted online: “Nothing between us has occurred further than a school friendship at age 16.”

A DOOMSDAY prepper who has a personal bunker with goods worth $430,000 has shared an urgent warning as tensions rise from global conflicts.

Rowan MacKenzie is well-known for her expert advice in preparing for any disaster – including the end of the world.

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Rowan MacKenzie has been preparing for the worst[/caption]

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According to MacKenzie, her personal stockpile is worth $430,000[/caption]

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The doomsday bunker is filled with nonperishable food items and bottled water[/caption]

Following escalating strikes between Iran and Israel, the 40-year-old is sharing what she believes to be crucial advice for anyone worried about possible gray-zone attacks.

Rowan has admitted that she is concerned that World War III could be around the corner, so is preparing how she sees fit.

“Gray-zone attacks are exactly what the name says – it’s the gray area between a time of war and peace,” the homemaker and estate agent told NeedToKnow.

“It’s something we preppers consider when stockpiling.

“They need to be taken extremely seriously, as the economic crash can be just as disastrous as an actual physical war.”

MacKenzie also revealed how many days’ worth of items to have in your stockpile at the very minimum.

“[You should] stockpile at least 72 hours’ worth of essentials,” she explained.

“This includes water, food, medications [and] power sources, such as rechargeable batteries.

“Keep a wind-up radio nearby to stay informed if the internet goes down.

“Learn basic first aid and fire safety.

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The homemaker also has livestock, including chickens and ducks[/caption]

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MacKenzie has been building her stockpile for over two years[/caption]

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Her prepping came from fears surrounding ‘World War III’[/caption]

“Practice emergency routines with household members, especially little ones.

“Get to know your local resilience forum and available services.

“As defense evolves, so too must public readiness.”

Although gray-zone attacks might not involve tanks or other weaponry, their impact can be just as severe on society.

Rowan, from the US, says her own prepping is no longer a hobby – she now considers it a necessity.

She added: “It’s becoming more and more practiced worldwide.
“It never hurts to protect the people you love.

“Don’t panic; make a list and execute.

“I’ve said it time and time again, you’ve got to be prepared for anything at any time.”

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The homemaker has also stocked up on firearms and ammo[/caption]

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MacKenzie has also provided advice for those looking to start their own stockpile[/caption]

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She even has her own personal greenhouse in her yard for growing food[/caption]

DEAR DEIDRE: I MARRIED my long-term partner in the hope that it would erase the pain of his affair. Sadly, it hasn’t worked out like that.

He cheated on me with a woman he knew from his past. They met regularly, shared romantic meals and mini-breaks and even went on a week’s holiday.

After discovering their affair, I went into survival mode and did my best to keep our family together.

We are in our mid-40s and have two boys, aged 14 and 12, and I did not want them growing up in separate houses.

His betrayal cut me deeply and when we married a year later, I desperately hoped it would heal the pain, but to be honest, everything feels just as raw.

My husband refuses to talk about it. He said his affair is in the past, it happened, but is over now, and I should move on.

I wish it was that easy. I am so unhappy. But I have met someone who does make me happy. He is a colleague and has always been a friend. Since this affair, he has been a confidant, always encouraging and supportive.

We have been talking a lot over the last couple of years and something has grown between us.

The feelings I have for him are not the same as I have for my husband. We want to be together.

We haven’t had sex but we really have an amazing emotional connection and we’ve confided that we love each other.

I want to end my marriage but I just feel so guilty about breaking up a supposedly “happy home” for my boys. I barely sleep. I am so tired overthinking everything that I feel incapable of making a decision.

I desperately want to be with someone who loves me for who I am, listens to me and really wants to be with me.

DEIDRE SAYS: Leaving your husband will be a huge life change for you, but you would be finally putting yourself and your own happiness first.

The most important thing is you and your ex manage to co-parent amicably. Staying together for the sake of your children is potentially damaging. If you are both unhappy, they’ll pick up on this.

It is a complex decision, but divorce isn’t always a bad thing, and sometimes it is the best option, even if it is difficult.

My support pack, Thinking Of Divorce, will help you.

MUM MAKES ME FEEL SO BAD ABOUT GOING AWAY

DEAR DEIDRE: I AM looking forward to a wonderful holiday in New Zealand visiting my daughter and her family, but my mother is determined to ruin it.

I’m 61, my husband is 63 and we’ve been married for 30 years. My mother came to live with us five years ago but recently her health has declined. She is 93 so it is to be expected.

Her memory frequently fails to the extent that she recently left the bath taps running until the bath was overflowing.

We have been in touch with social services who have helped us find respite care for my mother during our holiday because there is nobody else who can stay with her.

My mother is now threatening to take her own life. My husband and I are both mentally and physically exhausted.

We need this holiday to visit our daughter and grandchildren. My mother will only be in respite care for two weeks, but she is making me feel as though I should cancel the trip.

DEIDRE SAYS: This is a sad situation but don’t give in to her blackmail. You have every right to go on this holiday, so it’s unfair of her to threaten you.

It is distressing but you have showed love and concern for your mum. Respite care is the only option and is also the best place to cater for her needs.

Please do not beat yourself up. You made a difficult decision but it was the right one – and came out of love.

MS TRAUMA HAS RUINED OUR LIFE

DEAR DEIDRE: A FEW years ago my girlfriend was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and during a relapse she nearly died. I was with her at the time and have been left with what I think is undiagnosed PTSD ever since.

I’m 34, she 32 and we have a child – the medication she was on messed up her birth control. Due to the lesions on her brain, she lost her memory and broke up with me.

However, three years on we have now rekindled our relationship.

I know that when we were apart she had a few partners. The relationships she had with these people were traumatic and she’s not the same person now.

She’s said horrible things happened to her but won’t discuss it. Our sex life is non-existent and I’m struggling to cope.

She was the one who walked out on me and put herself into these situations. I protected her and cared for her. I’m wondering if I should stay around.

I’ve also found a couple of sex toys in a drawer at her house. Why am I being neglected sexually if she obviously still has a sex drive? Is it too late for us, or is my pride getting in the way?

DEIDRE SAYS: A diagnosis of MS may have come as a shock to her. She may have started to feel differently about herself and withdraw.

It’s understandable you feel shut out since she won’t share what happened to her when you were apart. Encourage her to seek support through Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk).

Whatever happened sounds to have affected her desire to have sex, but with the right help things can improve. If you feel you need to know more about the sex toys, ask her lightly about what you found.

Try to stay open-minded or she might feel judged and defensive. It is also vital you see your doctor about your undiagnosed PTSD.

RTE Fair City viewers were all left with the same complaint about Liam as he denied taking Ger’s locket.

Ger Lynch, played by actress Tina Kellegher, recently returned to Carrigstown after three years to search for a missing locket.

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Ger continued to search for her missing locket[/caption]

RTE

Liam denied having it[/caption]

In tonight’s episode, Sharon warned Dean to stay away from Ger, but Ger fired back, calling Liam a thief and a liar.

She threatened Sharon, demanding she retrieved her missing locket from Liam or face the consequences.

Though Sharon insisted Liam doesn’t have it, Ger’s certainty shook her.

She confronted Liam, who denied everything and claimed Ger was just trying to drive a wedge between them.

RTE Fair City viewers were all left saying the same thing about Liam after tonight’s episode.

Ciara wrote: “Liam is a proper a**e.”

Adam said: “Lying toad Liam.”

Another added: “Liam, you’re a s*****g.”

Elsewhere, enraged by Rafferty’s refusal to budge on the new rent terms, Hughie gave the tenant protests the green light.

Mondo found out about Dolores and Joan’s special rent rate.

Emma raged at Rafferty for striking secret deals without informing her.

CITY DRAMA

She demanded he charge Joan the same as the other tenants.

Hughie was nervous when he saw how seriously the community were taking the protests but was soon converted when he suspected that Rafferty killed the power in his Launderette. 

When Rafferty backtracked on their deal, Joan joined the protest. 

Judge Cowhey asked Joan to help his son with legal trouble in Canada. 

Joan declined the job, as she didn’t want to leave the business and Gareth for that long.  

Cass began his big clear out. Nikki was unimpressed when Orla and Kira scrambled to stake claim over Cass’s things, believing there could be valuable items.

SHANE LOWRY has dropped down the OWGR ladder after a disappointing third major of the season.

The Offaly ace missed the cut at the brutally tough Oakmont US Open venue last weekend.

It was the Irishman’s second missed cut in his last five tournaments played on the 2025 season.

And he was left frustrated after the season’s third major in Pittsburgh.

The Clara star has had his best season to date on the PGA Tour but he’s endured a difficult time at the majors – with two missed cuts and a 42nd place at The Masters.

37-year-old Lowry’s career-high of 10th position on the OWGR came just last month after his T2 finish at Sunday’s Signature Truist Championship.

He’s now down four places after the US Open test at Oakmont, where he finished +17 after 36 holes – having started the week at number twelve on the world ranking table.

But he’ll have the chance to one again rise up into the top-10 as the PGA Tour’s ‘Signature’ Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands gets underway in Cromwell, Connecticut this week.

Lowry finished T9 at the venue after last year’s event, he gets his tournament under alongside Denny McCarthy at 6:05pm Irish local time on Thursday.

The 2025 Travelers Championship is the last signature event of 2025, and there’s no shortage of star power.

Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion – and favourite – while Rory McIlroy has drifted with the bookies after some poor performances since his Masters win.

The Travelers purse is $20 million, with $3.6 million going to the winner in addition to 700 FedEx Cup points.

No, there is not a cut at the Travelers Championship. All 72 players will play all four rounds.

All the action will be live on Sky Sports from Thursday afternoon.

AT first glance, they are 100 per cent the same type on paper.

Both feature a curated collection of hot twentysomethings cavorting in exotic climes and taking trips to Casa Amor.

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Peacock TV

Viewers are being drawn in by the sexy scenes, pictured Huda and Jeremiah having sex as others sleep nearby[/caption]

And both have funnyman Iain ­Stirling narrating the action.

But while season 12 of the UK’s Love Island is still just warming up, our American friends are picking up the pace.

Yes, Love Island USA is on fire, stirring up the kind of sexy content that would make Bonnie Blue blush.

And homegrown fans are following its every kinky move on social media before it is expected to stream on ITVX in August, where previous ­seasons are also available.

So far, two weeks into the show, which takes place in Fiji, there has been a dominatrix challenge, where the girls tied up the boys and teased them while wearing eye-watering latex before they returned the favour.

Huda and Jeremiah were the couple to beat …before the public broke them up in a cruel twist that saw Huda have a tsunami-like teary tantrum

There has also been the series’ first girl-on-girl snog, between contestants Cierra and Chelley, which swiftly went viral online and brought tears to the eyes of one of the boys.

An errant birth control coil has been accidentally left on the floor.

And one couple, Huda and ­Jeremiah, have had sex while their fellow islanders slept soundly nearby.

They became the pair to beat until the public broke them up in a cruel twist that saw Huda have a tsunami-like teary tantrum.

To that end, long-time fans on both sides of the Pond are asking: What the hell happened to Love Island UK?

And why is it nowhere near as juicy as the sexploits of the US?

Love Island, which began as a celebrity special in 2005 before rebooting in 2015, is a British institution.

Hot and heavy

It has been a global smash and has launched reality stars with international fanbases, including Ekin-Su Culculoglu, Maura Higgins and Olivia Attwood.

Our American friends duly set about launching their own series, which kicked off in 2019.

At first, the response was tepid as it faded among the host of other reality shows populating American TV.

But over the past few years, it has started to gain traction, coinciding with the decision to enlist our own Iain Stirling as the sardonic voice narrating the show.

Last year, US reality superstar Ariana Madix took over as host.

She may not be a household name in the UK, but over in the States, she is the TV star on everyone’s lips thanks to her own turn on Vanderpump Rules, the first spin-off from The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

During her 11 years on the show, Ariana was blindsided when it emerged that her long-term partner Tom Sandoval had been cheating on her with her best friend, prompting national outrage and the term “Scandoval” to enter the language.

In the aftermath, Ariana became one of America’s most cherished stars, and her own personal drama makes her presence on Love Island USA even juicier.

We may have Maya Jama hosting the UK’s version in the Majorca villa, but she has not experienced quite so much public-facing heartbreak as her counterpart.

That is good news for her, of course, but bad news for fans craving juicy drama.

As for what makes this year’s British version a relatively damp squib in comparison, let’s remember how things used to be.

Back in the day, Love Island’s night- time activity was hot, heavy and unbridled.

In season one, we famously saw Hannah Elizabeth and Jon Clark have sex in the communal bedroom, “christening the villa” in the process.

Then, in season two, beauty queen Zara ­Holland paid a high price for getting steamy.

Her one-night stand with fellow islander Alex Bowen led to her being stripped of her Miss GB Crown.

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Chelley and Cierra’s passionate snog went viral[/caption]

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Alex had better luck, though.

Later in the series, he coupled up with Olivia Buckland (now Bowen — the pair are happily married with one son and a second child on the way).

Before they began their happily ever after, they reportedly romped in the villa a whopping 30 times. Kudos to whoever was counting.

As the early years progressed, the X-rated action continued.

Season three saw couples including Olivia Attwood and Chris Hughes, Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay, and Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt all getting jiggy in the villa.

Naturally, we would only be shown intertwined feet, rocking bed posts and duvets rustling under the dimmed lights.

But the message was clear: There was action to match a double special of Body Heat and Eyes Wide Shut, providing water cooler moments we could not get enough of.

However, there has undoubtedly been a turning tide since Love Island’s vintage years.

The show has been mired in ­controversy, with a backlash about its former duty-of-care procedures after contestants were subjected to hellish online trolling.

And questions were raised about whether producers did enough to prepare and protect stars for reality TV fame following the suicides of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, and former host Caroline Flack.

Obviously, it was vital that the show upped its duty of care, and ITV should be commended for prioritising contestants’ welfare at all costs.

There is now a two-drink maximum and off days, where the contestants have a break from filming.

All contestants also see their social media paused while appearing on the show, but that means there simply is not the same engagement with fans and viewers can feel a tad removed from the action.

What’s more, ten years since the first season aired, would-be contestants know what a meal ticket this is.

Sure, some people go in for love, but more go for the brand deals and the reality TV opportunities that beckon.

With so much more on the line — and PR reps queuing up to sign them — it is unlikely they will engage in the same kind of messy behaviour as their forebears.

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Brit Charlie on US show[/caption]

As 2018 Love Islander Wes Nelson said this week, there is far more self-restraint now.

He added: “I feel like people are going on it now with every intention of doing business, which is natural and understandable, considering how many people have come off and done well.

“So, I think the main difference is now, it’s like people care a bit more.

“I don’t think we cared that much when we were in there. It was very silly, very silly.”

Football team orgy

On this year’s season, which is now in its second week, we have seen some screenworthy moments.

There is the love triangle between Dejon, Meg and Malisha, the secret hideaway hook-up between Harry and Helena, and the time Harry admitted to having an orgy with an entire women’s football team.

But, as for the action we have seen on screen, there has been just one kissing challenge.

With the US version amping up the challenges to be more explicit than ever, over in Majorca it is all a bit, well, “meh”.

Alongside the lacklustre passion, there have been complaints that the casting process is a churning factory of influencer clones.

Ironically, the most different entry this year is Toni who, as an American herself, stands out from the rest of the Brit pack.

Meanwhile, this year’s US version has been praised for its diversity, with a variety of races and sexualities accounted for.

There’s barely any diversity in the UK cast in regards to personality

Fans

They have even got Huda, who is mother to a four-year-old girl, which is helping to change the game.

Clearly, we are not alone in pining for the diversity and randy romance of the American variety.

A popular Reddit thread online takes that very topic to task, with one user writing: “Love Island UK has just become ‘influencer island’ now that everyone tries to ‘follow the formula’ to win.”

Another weighed in: “There’s barely any diversity in the UK cast in regards to personality.

“Most of the girls are not problematic and don’t have huge personalities and the boys are also pretty predictable. Whereas there was soooo much diversity in personality in the USA cast and a lot of big personalities.”

Funnily enough, while we have Toni importing a bit of Americanism into the Majorcan villa, over in Fiji they have had their own Brummie boy in the form of Charlie Georgiou.

The 27-year-old, who is originally from Birmingham, was a popular addition to the villa, before being eliminated earlier this week.

As things stand, it is too early to write off this year’s homegrown offering for good.

Producers are certainly pulling out all the stops to make things as must-watch as possible.

But the way things are going, it looks like viewers will be wishing this series away, and anticipating the day that this year’s Love Island USA finally lands on ITVX.

In the meantime, we have social media keeping us up to date with all the breasts, bums and bonking being exposed in Fiji.

And despite still watching the UK series, we are not putting all our eggs in one basket.

• Additional reporting: TERESA ROCA

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Stunner Cierra Ortega is bringing in the viewers[/caption]

Meanwhile in our villa…

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Harry and Helena headed off to Hideaway[/caption]

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Dejon with Meg[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

Dejon with Malisha[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

Toni, who is from Connecticut, wants to date a British guy[/caption]

THERE is one thing that should always remain private – and that’s a boys’ group chat.

If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of what’s been said between a bunch of chest-thumping lads about their sexual exploits, you’ll know the majority is bulls***.

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Harry and Helena in the Love Island Hideaway[/caption]

Eroteme

Eroteme

Filled with more lies and exaggerations than you could shake a stick at, they’d be thrown in the dog house by their girlfriend if they dared sneak a peek – just as Love Island’s Dejon Noel-Williams discovered this week.

He looked like a petrified deer caught in headlights when told his territorial love interest Meg had watched his flirty date with bombshell Malisha and accused him of having “disrespected, violated and embarrassed” her.

It got me thinking during the latest racy challenge, Got The Receipts, about how the Love Islanders’ throwaway claims about their sexual escapades could be having a damaging impact on the ITV2 show’s younger audience.

Last night we heard naughty confessions from Harry having an orgy with an entire football team, to Remell enjoying 20 threesomes and sleeping with five women in one night.

Just like what happens in a boys’ chat, it’s entirely plausible these lads embellished their sex life history having got carried away talking to producers to get on the show.

But unlike in a boys’ chat, these exploits have been aired on telly – setting unrealistic and dangerous standards for the young boys and girls watching.

With Love Island’s most engaged audience aged between 16-24, it’s worrisome that they are being led to believe it’s normal for a group of 20-somethings to have engaged in a number of promiscuous encounters – from orgies to joining the mile-high club.

Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, who stars as a sex and relationship expert on E4’s Celebs Go Dating, warns that airing these kinds of sexually explicit conversations can “do more harm than good”.

She told The Sun: “As a certified sexologist and professor, I am an advocate for sex positivity, and openly communicating about sex.

“I often talk about group sex and casual sex in an educational context.

“However, it is important to acknowledge that conversations portrayed on TV that sensationalise promiscuous behaviours can be extremely damaging to young girls in our modern society.

“This is because it is talked about outside of comprehensive sex education, healthy sex context, and without proper communication and discourse around consent, sexual self-esteem and sexual agency this sort of conversation can do more harm than good.”

It’s important to note that reactions to the Love Islanders’ racy revelations were met with contrasting views – depending on the gender of those involved.

Despite having claimed to have enjoyed a group orgy with a female football team, Harry described Helena as a “good time girl” after confessing to having a threesome.

As she quite rightly pointed out, it’s Harry who turns every one of their conversations sexual, while complaining he’s not sure if there’s more to their relationship than just that.

The double standard led fans to label him a “misogynistic hypocrite” and call for his removal from the show.

Meanwhile Yasmin was slammed for downplaying Shea’s shock admission that he’d slept with a 50-year-old woman when he was 19, describing him as “troublesome”.

Shakria, who was kissed (out of the blue) by Blu was slated by Harry, who retaliated by sneaking out of the bedroom and taking Helena to the Hideaway for a night of passion.

It may be 2025, but the striking difference between the reaction depending on whether it was a male or female involved stands out.

Back in the early days of Love Island, viewers watched stars have sex on top of the covers, but now it’s much more toned down.

If there is any hanky panky going on between the sheets, it’s merely insinuated with a close up of the couple’s interlinked feet in bed or the wobble of items on a bedside cabinet.

It therefore seems odd to have claims of wild sex scenarios aired as if they were undoubtedly true.

I’ve often complained the over-censoring of Love Island’s most recent series has taken the spice out of the show.

But the juxtaposition of putting welfare first by ditching safe sex scenes only to replace it with more obscene and raunchy chat about it seems at odds.