The UK television regulator, Ofcom, has confirmed that it is to investigate reality show Love Island, after footage of a couple apparently having sex was shown, just ten minutes after the so-called watershed.

The decision was made after a measly eight viewers had complained that the sex scene between Love Island contestants Terry Walsh and Emma-Jane Woodham was broadcast too soon after 9pm.

"This programme included sexual material shortly after the watershed,” a spokesperson for Ofcom said. "We're investigating whether the transition to more adult content was unduly abrupt."

To which we can only say: lord, have mercy! The footage, which has proved surprisingly controversial, was shown on ITV2, on June 30.

Clearly, the prospect of some bed-hopping is an essential part of the ‘appeal’ of the show. Walsh had already been thought to be getting 'rather close' to two other female contestants, while Woodham is the ex-girlfriend of another occupant of the house.

This is not the first time Love Island has been involved in controversy. Following another voyeuristic moment, Miss Great Britain, Zara Holland, was stripped of her title after she had sex on the show. The 20-year-old model became sexually involved with the 24-year-old Alex Bowen, who is a scaffolder in real life.

Holland departed the show a few days later, amid reports that her mother was ill.

The Miss Great Britain organisation subsequently issued a statement on the matter.

''We pride ourselves on promoting the positivity of pageants in modern society and this includes the promotion of a strong, positive female role model in our winners,” they said.

''The feedback we have received from pageant insiders and members of the general public is such that we cannot promote Zara as a positive role model moving forward.

''We wholly understand that everyone makes mistakes, but Zara, as an ambassador for Miss Great Britain, simply did not uphold the responsibility expected of the title.''