Danica, 21, highlighted the fact that fellow islander Remi Lambert has claimed that he was bullied by Jacques. She said she is unsure if he's the right fit for the role after the rugby player expressed his desire to help others
Love Island's Danica Taylor has questioned whether Jacques O'Neill qualifies to be a mental health advocate.
The dancer said that she is unsure he is the right fit to help others after he was accused of bullying Remi Lambert on the show.
Speaking to Johnny Seifert on Secure The Insecure podcast, the 21-year-old said: "Yes, be an advocate for mental health. But have you been the correct advocate?"
"I wasn't even in the villa at this point when things kicked off. And it's not really my place to comment. I don't know sort of what did go on, but all I know is you can't deny somebody's feelings.
"And if Remi feels that he's been bullied, and he feels like he wants justice for the way he was treated in there, then I don't think he's wrong for saying that because again, it's a human emotion if that's how he felt then it should be looked into."
Danica Taylor has suggested that she doesn't think that Jacques is right to be a mental health advocate
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( ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
After leaving the villa, bombshell Remi accused Jacques of making his time in the villa "s**t" and starting arguments.
Remi, who was ditched from the island with Afia Tonkmore, said that many of these rows did not make it to air.
In June he told YouTube series Reality With Will Njobvu: "There was a lot of stuff that wasn't aired - a lot of stuff going on.
"So basically - me and Jacques got into quite a lot of arguments and it just made my experience s***t. It ruined it for me.
Jacques insists he is 'becoming better' after 'bullying' claims
"People were saying, "It's because he's got a rugby persona' - but you can't treat people like that," Remi hit back.
He claimed that the sports star would "constantly" mimic other islanders to get under their skin.
Addressing the controversy, Danica contined: "So then it is hard because it's like if you've made somebody feel that way to the point where they strongly want the justice and the recognition that they were made to feel that kind of way in the villa, then being a mental health advocate is hard. I don't even I don't even know how you navigate around a situation like that.
"Because I think Jacques, you know, he's openly admitted he's got ADHD. I do think Jacques emotionally in there has got a lot of emotional maturity."
Remi said that he was bullied by Jacques and that producers showed him in a good light instead
The reality star explained: "You know, he was very understanding about situations. So I don't think it's wrong, that he's trying to advocate and be an advocate for mental health.
"But I also think it is it's a hard one, because you've got someone here saying that that he was bullied."
Jacques decided to walk out of the villa while coupled up with Paige Thorne this series, as he said his mental health was compromised on the show.
After getting his phone back, Jacques said he found his stint on the ITV2 dating show had divided viewers with some people reaching out for support amid some trolling.
After his family revealed he had been diagnosed with ADHD, Jacques said he wanted to use his new found fame to help people in a similar situation.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the sportsman said: "I suddenly thought if people are thinking this about me, I can't just turn my back on it. I need to stand up and do something.
"I was getting fully grown men message me and say I was an inspiration. It was overwhelming."
Danica said that Jacques was mature
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( ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He added: "I've been saying thank you to everyone who's supported me a lot because without them I would be in a very dark place... in such a bad place."
He said that he was at first cross with his mum for telling fans that her son had ADHD - claiming that it looked like she was making excuses for his behaviour.
The Mirror has contacted a representative for Jacques for a comment.
Danica left the show with footballer Jamie Allen
Image:
( Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
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Jacques continued: "I was so angry with my mum for putting that out,
"I was so ready to delete it. I kept saying 'why did you put that out? You've made it look like an excuse for my behaviour'.
"It's not about ADHD even though we do struggle a lot differently to people without ADHD."
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