Why has Jacques left Love Island? All we know so far

Why has Jacques left Love Island might well be the question on your mind if you missed the most recent instalment of the hit ITV show which saw him depart from the iconic villa.

From the moment Love Island 2022 started there’s one major moment that many fans will have been eagerly anticipating as the drama, tears and betrayals built up between this year’s couples. After all, there’s nothing like Casa Amor to put the Islanders’ relationships to the ultimate test (and treat us to some extended Love Island episode finish times!) Whilst some couples remained blissfully unaffected by any Casa upheavals (aww for Davide and Ekin-Su!), for others it seemed to have been the beginning of the end for their romance - crushing their chances of reaching the Love Island final together.

Jacques O’Neill and Paige Thorne were amongst those whose relationship was strained by Casa Amor. The professional rugby league player attempted to explain why he tried to test his connection to paramedic Paige by kissing Cheyenne, but he was still very much in the doghouse. 

Enter returning Islander Adam Collard and the drama levels in the villa increased once again with the new arrival. 

Now Jacques has left Love Island with the emotional scenes showing just how much his leaving has impacted his fellow contestants. And if you’ve been wondering - why has Jacques left Love Island? - we now have an answer for you! 

Why has Jacques left Love Island?

On July 12th ITV made the announcement that Jacques was leaving Love Island and confirmed that the Islander himself would be explaining his reasons for doing so that night and that it was his decision. In scenes aired on the latest instalment Jacques explained, through tears, that he was leaving Love Island because he wanted to “get back to [himself” and be his best self for Paige.

He told Paige, who was also left tearful over his revelation on the terrace, that he felt he wasn’t able to be himself whilst in the villa.

"You mean so much to me, you know that. I've been trying to put a brave face on but things are getting to me," he told her. “Basically, like, I just wish I could finish my journey off with you in here, but I'm gonna go home today.”

"You’re still enjoying your time here. I’m not. You just do what you need to do and listen, I'll be waiting for you, I will," Jacques added. "Just do what you have to do, it’s fine. Don't even think about me when I leave."

After Paige explained how hurt she is to see him like this, Jacques explained that his desire for them to “work” as a couple means he needs to start feeling like himself again.  

"I just know for us to work I need to get back to myself and the only way I'm gonna get back to myself is going home,” he said. “So that's what I'm gonna do coz I can't carry on like this. I just can’t do it.”

Wiping away her own tears, Paige expressed guilt that she wasn’t leaving with him, before they eventually asked the others to gather round the iconic firepit to break the news. 

Echoing what he’d just told Paige, Jacques shared, “So I feel like, lately, I just can't be myself so I'm trying my best but I'm not a fake person and I'm not gonna start faking things and act like I'm ok when things inside aren’t actually ok, so I'm gonna be leaving today."

"I just can't stick around and not be myself, it's not fair to me and it's definitely not fair to Paige,” he continued, before revealing once again that he hopes to rekindle his romance with her on the outside. 

He said, "For me and Paige to work I need to be at my best and if that means removing myself from the situation and waiting for Paige when she gets out, that's what I'm gonna do, so I'm gonna be leaving now.” 

The reason why Jacques has left Love Island was a deeply personal one and many of his fellow Islanders were left emotional by the decision. Luca in particular was devastated as the two had been close ever since the rugby player entered the villa.

Meanwhile Love Island fans were quick to share their own reactions to his departure on social media after the latest episode aired.

“no i’m acc so sad i loved jacques”, one fan declared as several more revealed they were also in tears after he broke the news to the other contestants. 

“Not me balling my eyes out at the tv”, a second person responded. 

Whilst someone else agreed, writing simply, “OMG I’m in bits”. 

“It is emotional……. Brave decision young man x  wish you well”, another posted sympathetically. 

Though Jacques has left Love Island his departure will likely continue to be felt for quite some time, especially by Paige. The Love Island final 2022 could now be just a few weeks away and who knows whether Jacques will be watching along at home to see which of his fellow Islanders will take home the crown.