Love it or loathe it, Love Island has proven to be a smash hit, with this series being as popular and controversial as ever. 

This season seems to be that bit more brutal on contestants though as producers have devised new ways of messing with their minds. 

The likes of Adam's/Meghan's philandering and the multiple couple-ups being introduced means that heart strings are being ripped apart. 

This was most obvious in last night's episode as Georgia was left in pieces after her 'lover' Josh came back to the villa with a different girl on his arm. 

Angela Smith is a Professor of Language and Culture in the University of Sunderland and on this morning's Dermot and Dave she educated us on why the show has such a grip on it's audience. 

Angela and Muireann (who's covering for the lads) chatted about the evolution of reality TV and how people have become fame hungry as appose to it being a social experiment. 

Our expert explained how these shows are a hyper version of how people would react in real-life as everything is intensified. 

She also took a look at the effect it is having on their mental health due to the pressure on them from the millions watching and their lives after the villa. 

The viewers aren't just about the enhanced beauty either, it's more than skin deep, "we judge people by their personality ultimately".

You can listen to the chat in full by pressing the play button in the image at the top of the page.