REALITY TV has been blamed for making our children aspire to be stupid.

Some say shows such as The Only Way is Essex, Big Brother and Geordie Shore are create the impression that being 'dumb' is the route to wealth and riches.

Eighteen years ago, when Brian Dowling became winner of the second series of Big Brother, the runner-up Welsh hairdresser Helen Adams became known for her "Helen-isms" such as: "Is there chicken in chickpeas?"

This year's Love Island has just thrown up even more cringeworthy conversations leaving Scots viewers in disbelief.

Belle Hassan, a 21-year-old make-up artist from Kent was the focus of the incredulity after pairing up with 24-year-old Scots gym owner Anton Danyluk.

READ MORE: Neil Mackay: It's time the tiger of reality TV was tamed

She asked him: "Is Scotland and England the same place, like the same country?"

The Herald:

Mr Danyluk looked confused when he said: "What? Is Scotland and England the same country?"

"It's the same thing isn't it," said the girl he is 'coupled up' with in the Mallorca villa that Love Island is set.

The Scot replied: "It's in Britain."

The fitness fan then turned to some of the other male contestants and said: "Did you hear this chat? She says is Scotland and England the same place."

Ms Hassan, who is the daughter of actor Tamer Hassan, who has appearances in the No Way Out movie as TV shows EastEnders, Hotel Babylon, The Bill and Casualty added: "They are though, they're the same... they are not, like disconnected."

Before that Ms Hassan explained to some of the other girls at the villa that she managed to clear up that "Edinburgh is actually in Scotland last night".

Joanna Chimonides replied: "Is it?"

READ MORE: The Big Read: what Love Island really says about the world we live in

Ms Hassan stressed: "Seriously!"

"I didn't know, oh my god," said Ms Chimondies."

The Herald:

After revealing her findings about Scotland's capital Ms Hassan whose commentary was seen on the ITV2 show's Unseen Bits show added: "Dublin is in Ireland. Did you know that?"

Giving more ammunition to the Love Island critics, Ms Chimondes replied: "I didn’t know…oh my god...is Italy in Rome or Rome in Italy?"

Model Jourdan Riane (above) confirmed to the pair that Rome is in fact the capital of Italy.

Ms Hassan then goes on to ask: "Is Barcelona in Rome?"

Ms Riane replies: "Barcelona is in Italy" with a confused Ms Hassan responding: "I thought it was Spanish."

Jo Heywood, head of Heathfield School in Ascot, Berkshire, said four years ago that she was "deeply concerned about the dumbing down of culture in the UK".

She singled out TOWIE's Joey Essex, who cannot tell the time and is capitalising on his reputation for being dense as well as former cast member, Mark Wright, for particular criticism.

In a blog published on her school's website, Mrs Heywood, said: "At first, reality TV may have seemed ironic – a TV experiment where we peered in at others' lives but now it has taken on a life of its own and some of its stars reflect the education system they have been brought up in.

"Some children and teenagers see them as role models whose behaviour they wish to emulate and whose lives they wish to emulate."