LOVE Island viewers accused producers of 'scripting' a scene between Joey Essex and Ciaran Davies tonight.
The awkward sequence saw Ciaran take Joey jewellery shopping with him so he could pick out a gift for Nicole ahead of their romantic villa date.
But alarm bells went off in fans' heads as the pair are not close in the villa - in fact, they have clashed repeatedly.
While Joey has been close with Sean Stone, Ciaran is much closer to the other lads, including Ayo and Josh.
Just four days ago, they had an explosive row during the Grafties, with Ciaran telling joey to "shut the f*** up!"
So it seemed bizarre to the ITV2 show's audience that Ciaran would pick Joey to be his wing man when it came to choosing something special for his lady.
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The pair were even seen chatting away as they walked down the street, as if they were the best of friends.
When they arrived at the shop, Joey asked if he was thinking of a ring or a necklace, with Ciaran joking: "I don't think a ring quite yet."
As a result, viewers accused show bosses of faking the scene and making Ciaran and Joey act.
Taking to X, formerly twitter, to rage after the scene aired, one pointed out: this Joey & Ciaran scene has to be the most blatantly scripted scene in the history of love island omg??
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"Looks like something out of gossip girl," they added.
"I know [the producers] begged Ciaran with this gift for Nicole for him to do that scene with Joey. Wow that acting was insane.
Furious Love Island fans convinced Joey's apology to Mimii was 'fake' after spotting 'clue'
A third chimed in: "Joey must be giving Ciaran acting tips because that whole exchange was horrendous."
A fourth was equally confused, saying: "I'm sure Joey is the last person Ciaran wants to be alone with."
"Why'd production make Ciaran go with Joey? He doesn't even like him," quizzed a fifth.
Other viewers who agree the scene was set up, however, reckon they have rumbled why.
A theory doing the rounds on social media is that producers know how popular Ciaran is with the show's fanbase, and are hoping that will cast Joey in a positive light after he was slammed by viewers for his treatment of Mimii and Josh.
Angry fans have accused Joey - along with pal Sean - of 'bullying' the couple, and have even threatened to call Ofcom to complain.
Now some suspicious viewers believe that there is some attempt to restore Joey's reputation happening behind the scenes.
One said on X: "The producers want us to like Joey so bad bc why of all people would Ciaran go shopping with Joey?"
A second agreed, saying: The producers think they can save Joey now but the damage is already done."
A third weighed in: Not the producers doing everything in their power to save Joey like at this point they need to realise that Joey doesn’t want/can’t be saved.
