Death threats, shock PayPal bribes and smear campaign that I was LOVE CHEAT… my summer as The Sun’s Love Island CEO

“STOP f***ing spoiling Love Island, you don’t deserve to live.” “I’ll PayPal you £100 right now if you tell me who was dumped.” The Sun’s Felicity Cross spent the summer as our Love Island CEO Credit: Supplied Felicity spent the summer breaking exclusives on TV’s most famous villa Credit: Supplied “Is it true you’re cheating on your husband?” These are just a flavour of the messages I receive as the so-called “CEO of Love Island”, having spent the summer breaking exclusives on the ups and downs in TV’s most famous villa. As The Sun’s Deputy TV Editor, reality TV is my bread and butter. But this year, the dating show hosted by Maya Jama has served up a banquet. That’s because away from the TV screens in your living room, the antics of Lorenzo, Julia, Aidan and the gang have captured the imagination of the internet like never before. And I’ve found myself swept up in the flurry. Through my spies — who risk their jobs to leak me news of quitters and dumpings, challenges and votes — and The Sun’s reporting across the paper, social media and podcasts, I have become the go-to for Love Island news. Unbelievably, my juicy stories have even inspired the catchphrase “In Flic Cross We Trust” — a slogan which, I’m told, was trending on TikTok the other night when I broke huge news about Love Island’s finale twist. George joined The Sun’s Showbiz Fix podcast before he was banend from Aftersun and The Debrief Credit: Supplied Reporting across the paper, website, social media and podcast, Felicity become the go-to for Love Island news Credit: Supplied It’s a mind-blowing position to be in when I’ve always been adamant I want to be known for my stories, not for who I am. But that’s all changed — and don’t I know it. This summer series was ticking along as usual until on June 4 when I heard from a mole that George Knight had quit the villa. At the time, ITV commented that it was for “private reasons” but could not expand further to ensure duty of care towards George. On June 9 he joined me on The Sun’s Showbiz Fix podcast where he said he had elected to leave after learning of a medical issue with a family member. At the time, I had no reason not to believe him so we reported his interview. The next day, it was confirmed that George would not appear on Love Island companion shows Aftersun and The Debrief. Being banned from those spin-offs rang real alarm bells for me, so I got to work. And, sure enough, I eventually learned that while it was true someone in George’s family was poorly, he was in fact kicked out of the villa for using “offensive, inappropriate language”. When Casa Amor boy Gabriel Garland was kicked out, The Sun swiftly uncovered it was because in his past he was mentioned in court documents Credit: Supplied Felicity with Halle Brown Credit: Supplied The whole saga has clocked up 7.63million views on my social media. The twists and turns of the villa have seen me update viewers almost 24/7. I’ve filmed a video about new bombshells while out on a run, sent updates while on my commute, hopped on TikTok Live while my hair dye marinated and even — to fellow passengers’ amusement — reported live from a packed train carriage. That was when Casa Amor boy Gabriel Garland was kicked out (yes, another one) and we swiftly uncovered it was because he had previously been mentioned in court documents over a stabbing at a New Year’s Eve party. Some 1.65million have watched those videos. I’ve debunked fan theories, I’ve responded to queries on polls and grilled my moles until they are charred. Throughout, the passionate Love Island audience have been at the heart of everything. I’ve woken up every day to DMs begging for more information, updates and clues. Some have even offered me money to let slip who has been dumped. Felicity with Lola and Sean (who even sang to her) Credit: Supplied I’ve woken up every day to DMs begging for more information, updates, and clues, says Felicity Credit: Supplied On the other hand, when I revealed two weeks ago fan favourite Ellie Chadwick had left the villa to be with her man Finley, the internet was in uproar over the spoiler. Along with the unpleasant assertion I “didn’t deserve to live” was swearing, abuse and one troll in particular who began spreading rumours I am cheating on my husband — an especially outrageous claim because he is a 10/10 hunk and I’m massively punching above my weight. Another friendly character has taken to asking whether I have any intimate body piercings, while another regularly spams my pages with requests for me to be “gunged wearing just a pair of jeans”. But thankfully the rotters are few and far between and I, aside from the pressure that comes with that “In Flic Cross We Trust” refrain, largely adore being part of the Love Island “debriefers” pack. I’ve found a community of online pals who all have my back, and me theirs. We even all watched Monday night’s final together in a crammed London bar at an event run by group The Watch Party Club. And I’ve had the joy of interviewing Islanders fresh out of the villa on our Showbiz Fix podcast, then bumping into them around town — shout out to Charleen Murphy. One lad, Sean Fitzgerald, even sang to me (2.1million views and counting). Critics love to dismiss reality television, but I’d counter that it’s no different to the World Cup. I see the same passion for a favourite couple as for a favourite team, the same online debates around theories and news and, on Monday night, that same glorious feeling of a crowd cheering as one at the big result that was wanted. And there’s certainly the same detailed analysis and incredible armchair experts. The Sun launched a poll to ask Love Island fans for their top six couples and you lot nailed it, to a tee. Figures might suggest the dating show is on the slide as just 780,000 watched on their telly. But ITV’s data shows there’s millions more who consume the show on tablets, mobiles and computer consoles — with each episode actually averaging 3.04million. And I, for one, know they are following every second on social media. If only I’d accepted those PayPal bribes, I’d be a very rich lady.