Love Island star Gabriel Garland has broken his silence after he was removed from the villa over his connection to a stabbing.
The model, 24, entered the villa last week as a Casa Amor bombshell but was removed from the show after just a day, with his appearance scrubbed from the programme.
ITV confirmed he had been axed from the show due to ‘a situation in his past’, with it later being claimed that he was removed after producers were made aware that he had been involved in an altercation in which a man was stabbed.
Now, Gabriel has posted an Instagram video addressing the reports, saying that it was ‘very disappointing’ that he had been removed and clearing up that he had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Gabriel explained: ‘After everything that’s been said about me, I just wanted to clear a few things up. There was an incident that happened at a party I was at when I was a teenager.
‘This incident is obviously one that should not be taken lightly and was very traumatic for everyone concerned.’
Love Island star Gabriel Garland has broken his silence after he was removed from the villa over his connection to a stabbing. The model, 24, posted a video discussing it on Friday
Gabriel continued: ‘I just wanted to make it clear, the legal judge found no wrongdoing against me and I don’t have a criminal record.
‘This has obviously resulted in me leaving Love Island, which is very disappointing, especially from a personal perspective.
‘I was also forming a really, really strong connection in there which you guys didn’t get to see, which is sad. But I wanted to tell you this directly.’
Gabriel concluded his post by thanking people for their ‘kind and supportive messages’.
He shared: ‘It really means a lot, and I’m very grateful, because I do just wanna move forward from this in a positive way.’
Earlier this week it was reported that shortly after he entered the villa, ITV were made aware that he was referenced in court documents relating to the conviction of Vitor Mazzer.
Mazzer 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 in 2019.
Court documents state Gabriel attended the party with Mazzer, and say that two victims had an altercation with Gabriel before Mazzer stabbed them.
Gabriel’s mother Joanne Garland, gave a character statement for her son – who was 17 at the time of the incident – in court.
Mazzer was jailed for 42 months, and his appeal against conviction was refused in April 2024.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, a representative for ITV said: ‘Gabriel has now left the Villa and will not be returning.’
The official Instagram account for the show had teased Gabriel and the other Casa Amor bombshells’ arrival in a post last week.
In comments still visible on the post one fan wrote: ‘Love Island gotta fix up their background checks.’
The model, 24, entered the villa last week as a Casa Amor bombshell but was removed from the show after just a day, with his appearance scrubbed from the programme
Gabriel’s exit comes after Islander George Knight was reportedly axed from the villa after receiving a warning from bosses for using an offensive slur.
Just days after heading to Mallorca ITV announced that the professional footballer would be leaving the show for ‘private reasons’.
George has since insisted he quit the villa after learning that a member of his family had a health concern, but sources have now shared the real reason behind his departure.
It’s claimed that while George’s story about his family is true, he has used it to hide the fact that he was axed after receiving a formal warning for using ‘unacceptable language’ in the villa.
George then learned of his family news at the same time, but there is no suggestion that ITV bosses attempted to cover up his behaviour.
A spokesperson for ITV said: ‘For private reasons George has left the Love Island Villa.
‘We have a duty of care towards George so will not be commenting further.’
A source went on to tell The Sun: ‘The situation for George hasn’t been easy, coming out of the villa earlier than expected and returning home to a very difficult family time.’
The publication has not repeated the language George used.
Gabriel’s exit comes after Islander George Knight was reportedly axed from the villa after receiving a warning from bosses for using an offensive slur
George previously shared the reason for his Love Island exit on The Showbiz Fix podcast, saying: ‘I was expecting just to receive a usual question, like ask how I’m doing or what’s the plan for the day.
‘And they just said that one of the producers on site was going to meet me at the front door and that they had some information for you and the execs wanted to see you.
‘And I was thinking, oh God, what could this be about? Once the execs put you in, you don’t see them again, really.
‘They said that my parents had been in touch and that they had some news for me and that they were going to give me a call.
‘It is all very private. But it was a health concern with a member of the immediate family.
‘They said they felt like they weren’t doing their role as a parent if they didn’t let me know. And with what was said, I just felt like it was the right thing to come home.’
During the interview, George also spoke about accusations from fans that he’d used ‘microaggressions’ in the villa, after he branded Barbados-born Mica’s fashion ‘exotic’.
He said: ‘I don’t blame everyone because you don’t see everything.
‘You see such a small percentage of all the conversations and the relationships that you build. So I get it, I completely get it.
‘And there are, you know, standout moments where you think, oh, that doesn’t look the greatest.
‘I probably have said things that in reflection don’t look or sound great, but that’s just how I am in the moment.
‘And I know it will shoot me in the foot. I shoot myself in the foot a few times, but authenticity is – I think – what people are drawn to.’
LOVE ISLAND 2026: MEET THE ISLANDERS
Aidan
Age: 23
Job: Property Broker
From: Kent
His type on paper: ‘I wouldn’t say I have a strict type on paper. Personality is the most important thing for me.’
Lorenzo
Age: 28
Job: Business Owner
From: Hertfordshire
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I think drama is fun! As long as no one is crying, all is fair in love and war. It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds…’
Samraj
Age: 25
Job: Model
From: Birmingham
What’s your relationship strategy? Go straight for the goal or play it safe? ‘Without sounding arrogant, in the outside world I don’t really chase that much, I’m used to girls coming to me.’
Sean
Age: 25
Job: Primary School Teacher
From: Galway
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘If I see someone I like, I’m going for it and nothing’s gonna stop me.’
Yasmin
Age: 23
Job: Recruitment Consultant
From: Kent
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘There is no competition. I am a girl’s girl, but when it comes down to what I want, I’ll have to go for it!’
Kavan
Age: 21
Job: Electrician
From: Kent
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door? Someone who always wants to be the centre of attention. You know, coming in loud, shouting, causing arguments and drama for no reason. That’s not really my thing.
Mica
Age: 21
Job: Student
From: Barbados (lives in London)
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I’ll dabble in both I feel. Obviously the whole point is finding love and that’s going to be my main goal. I’m not saying I’m going to start drama but if there is drama going on, I would obviously be a little bit nosey and want to know what’s going on.’
Lola
Age: 28
Job: Detective
From: Kent
If VAR reviewed your flirting game, what foul would earn you a red card? ‘I can be a bit of a brat, I get really hangry! If you just feed me, I’ll be alright.’
Angelista
Age: 24
Job: Nurse
From: Staffordshire
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door? ‘Someone who wants to be in everyone’s face all the time, centre of attention all the time, that’s an ick! Someone that’s obnoxious I don’t like.’
Ellie
Age: 24
Job: Real Estate Videographer
From: West Lothian
Her type on paper: ‘Simple… tall, dark and handsome. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s a classic for a reason. Nice teeth, nice tattoos, partial to a blonde as well.’
Priya
Age: 25
Job: Business Development Manager
From: Surrey
Her type on paper: ‘Very cliché, but somebody I would be attracted to would be tall, dark and handsome. It’s so cliché, but it is my type. Confidence as well! Someone you can tell is very confident. I’m quite confident and energetic so I look for someone that can match my energy.’
Jasmine
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘Respectfully, what competition?’
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