Love Island in Fresh Scandal: New Contestant Booted After Producers Discover Disturbing Off-Screen Past
LOVE Island’s Gabriel Garland has been removed from the show after it came to light that he was involved in a New Year’s Eve stabbing in southeast London.
The Sun can confirm that Gabriel was axed from the show during Casa Amor filming when ITV became aware of the scenario.
Gabriel has been given the boot from the Love Island villaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
He had been chosen to appear in Casa Amor this yearCredit: gabriel_garland / Instagram
The 24-year old-model, who entered the Love Island villa on day 23, is referenced in court documents relating to the conviction of Vitor Mazzer.
Mazzer, who was 18 at the time, was found guilty of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a party in Casewick Road, London, on New Year’s Eve 2019.
Court documents state Garland attended the party with Mazzer. Court documents state that two victims had an altercation with Garland before Mazzer stabbed them.
Garland’s mother, Joanne Garland, gave a character statement for her son in court.
He was not charged with any offence and this judgement makes no finding of wrongdoing against him.
Mazzer was jailed for 42 months. His appeal against conviction was refused in April 2024.
The Sun confirmed that the decision was taken to remove Gabriel, 24, after ITV became aware of this situation.
The Sun has contacted Gabriel for comment.
Following the reveal of this year’s Casa Amor islanders, a number of comments began to surface under the social media post which questioned ITV’s background checks.
One person wrote: “Love Island ain’t good at background checks.”
A situation in his past is understood to be the reason for his departureCredit: gabriel_garland / Instagram
He will still appear in tonight’s episodeCredit: gabriel_garland / Instagram
With a second adding: “Love Island gotta fix up their background checks.”
Although he has now been removed from the programme, fans of the show will still see him tonight as he enters Casa Amor for the first time.
His exit occurred during filming of the Casa Amor twist with no plans for him to be replaced by a new bombshell.
ITV said to The Sun: “We will not be commenting further out of a duty of care towards participants.”
Gabriel is the second Islander to have left this year’s show by unusual means.
George Knight left the show after just days weeks ago and initially it was claimed to be down to ‘personal reasons’ owing to a health issue of a family member.
Whilst that remained true, it was soon uncovered that at the same time, he was asked to leave the ITV programme after using a slur.
Gabriel is one of six boys to make their debut in Casa Amor this evening.
Speaking prior to entering the show, Gabriel said of his type that he was looking for: “My type would be someone who has intelligence, emotional maturity, someone who’s confident but humble.
“I also definitely have a soft spot for brunettes, dark features and tanned. I’d say that’s my ideal type.”
The London-based model added: “Yeah, I have my eye on a few. I’d say Priya and Jasmine would be my typical types, especially in the outside world.
“Obviously, they’re all very attractive, so I’m just going to wait and see when I get in there, get a vibe and see who I connect with.”
