A dramatic shakeup has hit “Love Island UK” just as one of the show’s most anticipated twists gets underway. Casa Amor bombshell Gabriel Garland has reportedly been removed from the ITV2 dating series after producers became aware of reports linking him to a 2019 stabbing incident. While Garland was never convicted of any crime related to the case, his reported connection to court documents surrounding the altercation has sparked controversy among fans. The unexpected exit comes just as viewers prepare for the return of Casa Amor, the fan-favorite twist designed to test the strength of the Islanders’ relationships.
Garland was introduced as one of six male bombshells entering Casa Amor during Season 13. “Gabriel has now left the Villa and will not be returning,” an ITV spokesperson told Deadline in a statement.
The newcomer was set to join the secondary villa alongside five other men in an effort to tempt the female Islanders away from their existing couples. However, reports indicate producers decided to remove him from the show after learning of his alleged connection to a 2019 stabbing case.
Despite his reported removal, Garland will still appear in Sunday’s episode when the Casa Amor bombshells are first introduced. His appearance beyond that episode, however, has reportedly been cut short.
Casa Amor Remains One Of ‘Love Island’s’ Biggest Twists
The controversy comes as “Love Island UK” launches another installment of its famous Casa Amor twist. Each season, the format separates the men and women into different villas before introducing a fresh group of bombshell contestants. The goal is to test existing relationships and determine whether Islanders remain loyal to their current partners or pursue new romantic connections.
This year’s Casa Amor lineup included six new women and six new men entering the competition. Alongside Garland, the male bombshells included Tommy, Jordon, Will, Carlos, and Aaron.
The female newcomers included Charleen, Mara, Martha, Olivia, Nevaeh, and Julia.
‘Love Island’ Fans Were Already Calling Out One Islander During Casa Amor
Garland’s reported removal comes as “Love Island UK” viewers are already finding plenty to talk about during this year’s Casa Amor twist. Recent episodes have introduced a fresh batch of bombshells tasked with testing existing couples, and fans were quick to react to one contestant in particular: Aidan.
According to viewers, it took less than three minutes of Monday night’s episode for Aidan to become the center of attention after openly discussing kissing one of the new arrivals.
Aidan’s Behavior Quickly Sparked Backlash Online
The drama unfolded after the Islanders participated in a flirtatious game of “Two Truths and a Lie,” where correct guesses were rewarded with a kiss.
As the group got to know one another, Aidan spoke with bombshell Julia about her kiss with his brother, Kavan, during the game. He jokingly suggested she would need to determine which brother was the better kisser before asking for a kiss himself.
Julia ultimately obliged, but viewers were stunned when Aidan later appeared to pursue another kiss with fellow bombshell Martha.
Afterward, he reportedly told the group that he and Martha would be sharing a bed that evening.
Viewers Accused The Islander Of Moving Too Fast
The scenes quickly sparked criticism online, with some fans arguing that Aidan was moving far too quickly after arriving at Casa Amor.
Several viewers took to social media to express frustration with the Islander’s behavior, with some even joking that producers should send him home before the twist had fully unfolded.
Others questioned whether his actions signaled trouble ahead for any potential romantic connections he hoped to build inside the villa. “Send Aidan home please,” one user wrote as another said, “Aidan needs to be stopped. I cannot believe he hasn’t been warned. He makes me sick”.
With Casa Amor only just getting started, however, many fans suspect even more drama could be on the horizon before the Islanders are forced to decide whether to remain loyal to their partners or recouple with someone new.
