EXCLUSIVE: 'He doesn’t emotionally control anyone': Mother of Love Island star Joe Garratt hits back over show's 'abuse crisis' to say there's no way he'd make Lucie Donlan cry By James Fielding For Mailonline Published: 19:01 BST, 18 June 2019 | Updated: 19:01 BST, 18 June 2019 Viewcomments The mother of Love Island star Joe Garratt defended her son today and said he is a ‘normal, loving 22-year-old lad’. Amid criticism over her son's treatment of love match Lucie, Rachel Garratt told MailOnline: ‘I know my son and he’s not like how he’s being portrayed. Speaking outside her home in Orpington, Kent, she added: ‘Both myself and his sister are his best friends. He doesn’t emotionally control anyone. 'My best friend': The mother of Love Island star Joe Garratt defended her son today and said he is a ‘normal, loving 22-year-old lad’ (pictured with her son) ‘What has been said in the newspapers today is just sheer rubbish, that is not my boy. ‘The photograph used in some of the articles, which shows Lucie crying, is from an argument with one of the other girls. It was nothing to do with Joe but he was pictured next to it (the image of Lucie in tears). ‘I see him every day of the week and there’s no way he would make a girl cry. He’s a normal, loving 22-year-old lad. Struggling: Amid criticism over her son's treatment of love match Lucie, Rachel Garratt told MailOnline: ‘I know my son and he’s not like how he’s being portrayed ‘He’s got hundreds of friends, he goes to the gym every day. They all love him. He goes and plays rugby at the local club, they all love him. ‘No friend he’s got, boy or girl, nor any of his ex-girlfriends have got a bad word to say about him. It’s a real shame this has happened.’ Mrs Garratt was also critical of the Women’s Aid charity who issued a statement yesterday about ‘Joe’s possessive behaviour’. She added: ‘They never contacted us. Criticism: ‘Both myself and his sister are his best friends. He doesn’t emotionally control anyone' Joe's mum has told MailOnline amid his emotional rollercoaster of romance ‘This charity, which is so interested in women’s protection, have made two women very upset and uncomfortable. ‘His sister is devastated by all this and so am I.’ Cornish model Lucie sobbed afterJoe told her to stay away from other men in a recent episode of the ITV2 show, prompting Women's Aid to speak out about his 'abusive' actions that viewers called 'predatory'. Family man: Sandwich maker Joe is pictured with his parents As his mum insists 'no friend he’s got, boy or girl, nor any of his ex-girlfriends have got a bad word to say about him' Joe has been accused of 'gaslighting' the 21-year-old because he has flirted with the other female contestants to make her jealous and has gone to great lengths to put off rivals including Tommy Fury. More than 300 complaints have been made to TV watchdog Ofcom over the incident with Britain's broadcasting watchdog revealing that there have been 1,215 complaints about the show - up 421 in the past 24 hours. ITV today revealed Lucie has been supported by the show's staff away from the cameras - but despite her daughter appearing heartbroken on-screen, her mother Cellie Donlan told MailOnline she is content to stay. She said: 'Lucie should stay on the show. We’ve got no worries over her what so ever, she’s very happy. The support given to her and us as a family by ITV has been amazing.’ At risk: Surfer Lucie and Joe face being dumped from the villa on Tuesday night's show after their co-stars voted them as one of the least compatible couples Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility