Remi Lambert, known to fans simply as Remi, made a memorable entrance on Love Island. As a model and rapper from Manchester, he sought romance and a platform to showcase his personality. However, his journey on the show quickly became overshadowed by conflict, particularly with fellow contestant Jacques O’Neill.
Remi has openly discussed how repeated arguments with Jacques tainted his experience in the villa. He revealed on a podcast that these clashes, many of which were not aired on television, “ruined” his time on the show. Remi described how Jacques would mock him, imitating his accent and background, which Remi found intensely irritating and disrespectful. He stated, “I was the only one that would stick up for myself. He would always do that to people”. This ongoing tension left Remi feeling isolated and frustrated during his short stint on Love Island.
Jacques, Paige, and the Rumour Mill
While Remi struggled with his villa experience, Jacques quickly became a central figure in the series. He entered the villa as a bombshell and soon coupled up with Paige Thorne, sparking immediate interest from viewers. Their relationship developed quickly, but it was not without its drama. After the notorious Casa Amor twist, Jacques and Paige’s romance hit a rough patch. Leading to Jacques’ eventual departure from the show for mental health reasons.
Following the show, rumours swirled about a possible rekindling of Jacques and Paige’s relationship. Fans speculated after seeing flirty exchanges between the two on social media. Including a notable Instagram comment from Jacques on one of Paige’s posts. Despite the speculation, Paige has repeatedly shut down these rumours. Clarifying that she and Jacques are on good terms but are not romantically involved. She emphasised that they just want each other to be happy and have remained friends since leaving the villa.
Remi Takes a Swipe at Jacques Amid Ongoing Tensions
The feud between Remi and Jacques did not end with their time on Love Island. In March 2023, Remi claimed on Instagram that a friend of Jacques had assaulted him during a night out. He alleged that Jacques and his friend followed him and that the altercation was a “setup” related to unresolved issues from the show. Jacques responded publicly, admitting to a fight but denying that he instigated it or followed Remi home. He accused Remi of exaggerating the incident and trying to tarnish his reputation.
Remi fired back, insisting his version of events was true and urging Jacques to take responsibility for his friend’s actions. He also criticised Jacques for talking about mental health, calling him “the fakest person I’ve ever met”. This public exchange reignited interest in their feud, with fans and media outlets closely following the drama.
Remi has also accused Jacques and fellow Islander Luca Bish of bullying him during their time in the villa, stating that their behaviour made his experience “shit” and that they should have been removed from the show. These allegations have sparked broader discussions about the treatment of contestants on reality TV and the producers’ responsibilities to ensure a safe environment.
The Aftermath: Life Beyond the Villa
Since leaving Love Island, Remi has continued to speak out about his experiences, using his platform to address issues of bullying and mental health. He remains active on social media and in interviews, determined to share his side of the story and advocate for better treatment of reality TV contestants.
Jacques, meanwhile, has focused on building a career as a social media influencer and has been open about his struggles with mental health following the show. He has spoken highly of Paige in interviews, describing her as a “lovely girl” and expressing that he will always care for her. Despite the ongoing speculation, both Jacques and Paige have made it clear that they are not romantically involved and are simply friends.
The ongoing feud between Remi and Jacques continues to capture the attention of Love Island fans. With both parties sharing their perspectives online, the story of Remi and his time on the show remains a topic of debate and discussion across social media platforms. The drama surrounding Remi, Jacques, and Paige serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny and pressures faced by reality TV stars, both during and after their time in the spotlight.