The girls’ camp bumped into the boys’ camp on the Island – and for some (both islanders AND viewers) it was a recipe for disaster.
First off, chef Elliot equated being aggressive with being successful and explained that’s why men dominate the top of his profession.
Oh Elliot, if only the women knew what you’d said … (Screengrab/Channel 4)
Then insurance manager Simon commented that men would do better on the island than ‘any standard woman’.
Simon… How sexist! 👊 #argh #TheIsland pic.twitter.com/Zni2vZc62U
— Steph (@stephcouch89) April 4, 2016
And, as you might imagine, viewers commenting on Twitter were not best impressed.
Outrageous sexism alive and well on #theisland
— Harriet Clare (@harrietclare321) April 4, 2016
What is with the sexist men?! #theisland
— Michelle Mackintosh (@Michellemack7) April 4, 2016
There's some rampant sexism going on in #TheIsland – looking forward to some of those dinosaur men getting their come uppance!
— Jo Hemmings (@TVpsychologist) April 4, 2016
They wanted to send a *gentle reminder* – it’s 2016, guys.
#TheIsland Simon is setting back the male race thousands of years in a few minutes!
— Michael (@Michael80421879) April 4, 2016
Where did they find these men? The 1950's?? #theisland
— Edith Ngobi (@EdithNgobi) April 4, 2016
But they did take some joy from the fact that the women were actually doing very well without them.
Hark at the men stroking their egos while the women are SLAYING it #theisland
— Roanne Holland (@rowrowrowyaboat) April 4, 2016
Yeah because the men are clearly doing so much better than the women at the mo 😂 #TheIsland
— Traybo77 (@Traybo77) April 4, 2016
Women deffo won't have been able to do what the men have done
-Cry
-Get lost
-Fall over
-Nothing #Theisland— Nick (@supernwa) April 4, 2016
Then the attention turned to two women in particular – Erika and Hannah.
Erika’s famous moment (PA)
Viewers were stunned to find out that Erika was the Erika Roe – the infamous topless streaker at Twickenham from the 80s.
OH MY GOD! Erika! It's THAT Erika! #theIsland #beargrylls :-o
— Caitlin (@grimbletweets) April 4, 2016
Erika Roe on #TheIsland scenes. The most famous streaker of all time? #Boobies
— Brétt Mendöza (@BrettMendoza) April 4, 2016
Hannah on #TheIsland is awe inspiring, but I think all us 70s kids remember Erika the streaker!! Wow what a woman haha
— Sarah (@SazzaMarsh) April 4, 2016
And their love for her grew even more as she refused to be bossed around by the male newcomers and just did her own thing without any fuss.
ERIKA YOU QUEEN #theisland
— Esme Myland (@Esmemyland) April 4, 2016
Love Erica, just whips up a bed. Simon is disgusted she did it and he didn't. Delighted! #TheIsland
— Debbie Murphy (@D3bbie_M) April 4, 2016
Simon wanted to make 16 beds and fails to make 1. Erika heads off to fish and then makes a bed.. Back in your box Simon #theisland
— Serena (@serenab_) April 4, 2016
And then there was inspiring army veteran Hannah, who lost her leg in Iraq and who was being just brilliant at absolutely everything, from fishing to keeping up morale in the new male/female dynamic.
Hannah being a boss (Screengrab/Channel 4)
That ex army lass on #TheIsland is a credit to our armed forces.
— Mark Harrison (@sparkylufc1970) April 4, 2016
I love Hannah and erika. So much girl power. #theislandwithbeargrylls #TheIsland
— Jen Allen (@jenji1989) April 4, 2016
Hannah you are an absolutely formidable human being. Showing that women can be strong, brave and a leader #theisland
— Frances Robyn (@onelittlebird7) April 4, 2016
Hannah is spectacularly brilliant & I hope this experience helps her realise that #theisland #Army #inspiring
— Si Johnson (@Si_Johnson) April 4, 2016
But there was an insanely loud and scary storm one night that triggered the effects of her PTSD.
She spent the next day in total agony suffering from phantom leg pain – a psychological pain which she described as feeling as though her amputated leg is still there.
The PTSD got too much for Hannah (Screengrab/Channel 4)
There was nothing the doctors and their antibiotics could do since it was an issue of mental health – and so Hannah was forced to make the decision to leave the island.
The islanders and the viewers at home were gutted – but they all gave her their full support.
So sad to see the affects the thunderstorm had on Hannah on @TheIsland a real inspiration who proves anything is possible #theisland
— Kevin Williams (@kevwillow89) April 4, 2016
Losing Hannah from #TheIsland is a big blow to the group and not just emotionally. She bought some unity and much needed stability.
— Andy Rush (@AndyRush5) April 4, 2016
Hannah should be proud of herself. Not only did she put most others to shame, she raised awareness about how horrific PTSD is. #theisland
— Alex Deutsch (@alexdeutsch) April 4, 2016
Gutted for Hannah. Über strong. Über awesome women. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 #theisland #rocksolid
— David Stephens (@_DTSMAN) April 4, 2016
Utterly heartbroken for Hannah from the #theisland such a brave woman battling #PTSD
— Maggy Blagrove (@Magatronic) April 4, 2016
Clearly watching at home, she tweeted out an inspirational quote which summed her up perfectly.
— Hannah_the island (@hannahc410) April 4, 2016
Speaking of summing up in one tweet…
So, to conclude: Hannah = hero, Erika = legend, Simon…. yeaaaaaaaaa 😳🤔 #theisland #theislandwithbeargrylls
— Barney Strange (@barney_strange) April 4, 2016
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