The drama between ex-Love Islanders Rachel Finni and Brad McClelland explained

It looks as though Love Island season eight isn’t the only place where tempers are flaring, as ex-islander Rachel Finni has called out Brad McClelland for ‘humiliating’ her during a recent Instagram Live.

In case the new Love Island 2022 lineup has made your memory hazy, Rachel Finni and Brad McClelland were Love Island season seven contestants. Brad was part of the original lineup, and Rachel entered later on as a bombshell. The pair actually went on to couple up, but it was short-lived, as Brad’s head was then turned again by Lucinda Stratford, who entered the villa a few days later with Millie Court.

What’s going on between Rachel Finni and Brad McClelland?

So what is the recent beef between Rachel Finni and Brad McClelland?

The drama originated from an Instagram live that Brad took part in, alongside other former Islanders Aaron Francis, Jake Cornish and Tyler Cruickshank.

Brad, Aaron, Jake and Tyler—none of whom have remained in their Love Island couples—all took to Instagram to discuss their experience in the villa together amid the start of the brand new series, and quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.

The former contestants were discussing the Love Island bombshells, when Brad read out a comment from a viewer that said: “Rachel, yet again, not a bombshell,” to which Brad pulled a face and laughed, along with the rest of the boys.

The comment sparked outrage with fans stating that the foursome were making fun of Rachel. One fan took to Twitter writing: “Aaron, Tyler, Jake and Brad sitting on insta lives and laughing and making fun of Rachel is giving me secondary [school] vibes. How childish.”

While another added: “Brad needs to keep Rachel’s name out of his mouth.”

Rachel Finni's response to Brad's comment

Following the live, Rachel herself took to her Instagram Stories, posting a statement about Brad’s comment and calling it ‘humiliating.’

She wrote: “Today is the first day I've had a feeling of regret when it comes to appearing on the show. Despite EVERYTHING that happened till now, I still saw the experience as a blessing. No matter how awful and manipulated it was I just took it as part of the experience as it lead me to amazing things. 

“But for it to be TODAYYYY and I have actual nobodies mimicking me and discussing me publicly like a joke. I am FULLY over it and regret going on the show.”

She continued: "Why is this deserving of going on a tv show? How do these actual idiots think it's ok to publicly humiliate me and discuss me like that? And not just today. Multiple, multiple and multiple times over. TODAY a year later and I'm still being bullied/taunted openly for all to see. Honestly... if there's a statement stronger than 'f**k you' understand it and receive it. I'm done.”

Kaz Kamwi, Tyler's former girlfriend and fellow Islander also came to her defense, demanding an apology for Rachel 'publicly and privately'.

On Friday morning, Brad in fact issued an apology on Twitter.

He said: “I want to apologize to Rachel and others for any feelings that were hurt during our Instagram Live the other night. I've watched the video back and I can see how this was perceived.

“This upon reflection was not the way to behave and 100% not my intention to hurt or upset her and those who know me, know I'm not that type of person. I have since reached out to Rachel personally and apologized for any hurt that I caused. From the bottom of my heart, I am really, really sorry.”

If you want to catch up on Rachel and Brad's time in the villa and the current season of the show, take a look at our guide for how to watch Love Island UK.