ITV's Love Island descends into fisticuffs

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By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Entertainment, 23rd August 2006 14:30 GMT

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It's official: despite the long-held belief that male ballroom dancers susbscribe exclusively to the Friends of Dorothy, Strictly Come Dancing "star" Brendan Cole has proved that they're not to be messed with by slapping former Hollyoaks "star" Lee Otway six times in a drunken row.

Sadly, viewers will not be able to enjoy this ratings-boosting scrap since the two clashed in the back of a limo "after producers sent them on a drink-fuelled yacht cruise around the Fijian island where the reality show is based", the BBC explains. Otway apparently threw the first punch, and got half-a-dozen back for his trouble. According to various sources, Cole rather splendidly explained: "That's one punch for every week you've pissed me off."

Cole later lamented: "I'm disappointed it's come to that after six weeks on Love Island because this should have been an amazing experience." The pair have, however, apparently now kissed and made up.

Punch-ups aside, Love Island has proved a ratings flop, due possibly to the uninspiring list of contestants ("ex-Boyzone singer Shane Lynch, model Sophie Anderton, socialite Lady Victoria Hervey, Pierce Brosnan's son Chris and Paul Gascoigne's step-daughter Bianca", the BBC notes) coupled with the fact that it is completely meritless televisual garbage. ®

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