‘I got a grilling from Mum’ — Love Island’s Harrison Solomon breaks silence on explosive villa backlash, reveals family reaction to “uncomfortable” scenes and hits back at toxic behaviour claims after shock exit with Lauren - suong

   

LOVE Island bombshell Harrison Solomon has revealed his mum gave him a "grilling" for his eyebrow-raising conduct on the matchmaking series.

The footballer, 22, was embroiled in a controversial love triangle with Lauren and Toni for most of his villa stay, breaking both their hearts along the way.

Harrison Solomon from Love Island.
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Love Island's Harrison Solomon has revealed his family's reaction to his controversial villa stintCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Toni Laites and Harrison Solomon on Love Island.
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His love triangle with Toni, pictured, and Lauren raised eyebrowsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Lauren Wood and Harrison Solomon from Love Island.
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Harrison, seen with Lauren, told how his mum had given him a 'grilling'Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

After Lauren was dumped, Harrison did some soul-searching and decided to leave with her to give things a go in the outside world.

Yet on his return to reality, he was subject to criticism from charity Women's Aid, who called out the fact he pleaded with Toni to pick him in a recoupling hours after having sex with Lauren.

Now, Harrison has told how eyebrows were raised within his own family, too.

In a chat with Heart Radio he said: "My sister and my mum are massive Love Island fans anyway.

"So, especially now I'm on there, they have watched every episode to be honest. They saw everything which is not ideal.

"But yeah, they were watching along. They said they were very proud of me and how I acted in there.

 

"I obviously got a little grilling from mum when I got back as well.

'Just about the way I had been in the villa which is understandable as well."

Yet he defended his intention underpinning his actions and added: "I knew there was going to be a bit of backlash coming away from the show.

"But I feel like as long as Lauren and I know where we stand with each other, and like she said the communication is key and we speak about how we are feeling.

Love Island’s Harrison reveals why he’s NOT gone official with Lauren - despite plans to move in together

"Those comments from the outside are never going to get to me but I obviously worry about Lauren’s perception on things. But I feel like she’s taken it well."

CLAP BACK

Harrison recently spoke out about the criticism from Women’s Aid.

The organisation flagged "toxic behaviours" in a stark message posted to social media.

They wrote: "In recent years, Love Island and other forms of reality TV have been repeatedly called out by viewers for allowing in contestants that had a history of abusive, coercive and manipulative behaviour in previous relationships. 

"As a result, production companies have been more careful when it comes to selecting contestants and calling out toxic behaviours when we see them."

They added: "'Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated, as well as laughed at behind their backs.

"Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence - it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls.

"More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny, and it is a great credit to viewers who take to social media, continuing to call out these behaviours as soon as they see them."

Harrison spoke out against the charity's stark words and previously said to MailOnline: "I have seen the backlash and it's hard to digest.

"I would disagree with a lot of it in terms of my respect for women, I do respect women.

"The worst has been from Women's Aid.

 

"I know myself and the girls on the show too, Toni said she knows I'm not a bad person, just went about situations in the wrong way, but the Women's Aid statement wasn't nice... it's not nice coming out of the villa to my mum upset by that so I would say that's been the hardest.” 

Meanwhile, Miami-based Harrison recently revealed why he and Lauren haven't made things official in the outside world.

Harrison Solomon on the Love Island set.
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Harrison said his mum's reaction had been 'understandable'Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Harrison Solomon and Toni Laites on Love Island.
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Women's Aid flagged 'toxic behaviours' displayed in the villaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Lauren Wood and Harrison Solomon at the Love Island: Aftersun TV show.
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Harrison left the villa 24 hours after show partner Lauren was given the bootCredit: Shutterstock Editorial