‘I’m not a bully’: Eden addresses Love Island backlash

Love Island Australia runner up Eden Dally has addressed the backlash against him after he was accused of bullying by viewers and some of his fellow contestants.

The 25-year-old’s behaviour throughout the latter half of the season has been scrutinised both inside and outside of the villa, with moments including the time he brought up Millie’s sexual history in front of her love interest, and when he almost came to blows with Grant, sparking plenty of criticism.

Speaking to Be after the season finale, the 25-year-old insisted that he is “definitely not a bully”.

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“[Bullying] is definitely not something I condone and if I came off that way I apologise for that,” he said.

“I also know bullying can lead to depression and it’s something I hold close to my heart – I’ve had it and I’ve got close mates who have had it.

“I’d like to clear that up and say I do apologise if it came across that way,” he added.

The prison officer also addressed the disputes he had with Grant, explaining they were just “two different personalities”.

“You’re not always going to get along with people. We did clash at times but I’ll leave that all in the villa and it’s all forgotten,” he said.

Another person Eden famously didn’t get along with throughout the series was Teddy, who was reduced to tears at one point.

“I was bullied in school then and it took a lot for me to get over [it] and to gain the confidence to thrive in life,” Teddy told cameras in one memorable episode.

“I feel like when I came in the villa I was at that level. I had the great confidence that had taken a few years to build up, and now I feel like I’m in high school again getting bullied by the same meathead dudes.”

Reflecting upon his time with Teddy in the villa, Eden claims he apologised.

“Teddy, he said to me he was bullied and stuff and I was sorry for that,” Eden told Be. “I was never aware of it and I told him he can chat to me any time he likes.”

On Thursday night, Eden and his partner Erin lost the $50,000 prize money to winners Tayla and Grant, but insisted they weren’t disappointed by the finale result.

“[We’re] feeling absolutely great, just stoked to be starting the next chapter in our lives,” Erin, who plans to move to Sydney to be with Eden, said.

Additional reporting by Rebekah Scanlan.

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