In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through the Love Island villa and beyond, Casa Amor bombshell Gabriel Garland has been removed from the show after ITV learned of his connection to a serious violent incident from his teenage years.
The 24-year-old London-based model, who entered the villa on day 23 as one of this year’s Casa Amor boys, was axed during filming when producers became aware of his reference in court documents linked to a New Year’s Eve 2019 stabbing in southeast London. Despite the decision, Garland will still appear in tonight’s episode as he makes his entrance into Casa Amor. There are no plans to replace him with another bombshell.
Court documents from the case detail that Vitor Mazzer was convicted of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a party in Casewick Road. Garland, then 17, had attended the party with Mazzer. The documents state that the two victims had an altercation with Garland prior to Mazzer stabbing them. Garland was not charged with any offence, and the judgement makes no finding of wrongdoing against him. His mother, Joanne Garland, provided a character statement in court supporting her son. Mazzer was sentenced to 42 months in prison, with his appeal against conviction refused in April 2024.
ITV’s decision to remove Garland highlights the delicate balance reality television producers must strike between drama and due diligence. The case reportedly did not surface during standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks because Garland had not been convicted of any crime. Social media reactions quickly turned critical, with viewers questioning the thoroughness of the show’s background vetting process.
One comment read: “Love Island ain’t good at background checks.” Another added: “Love Island gotta fix up their background checks.”
A Love Island spokesman confirmed: “Gabriel has now left the villa and will not be returning. We will not be commenting further out of a duty of care towards participants.”
Second Exit of the Series
Garland becomes the second contestant removed from this year’s series. Earlier, George Knight left after just six days, officially cited for “private reasons” related to health concerns with an immediate family member. Reports later revealed additional factors, including the use of offensive language, contributed to his departure.
Casa Amor remains one of the most explosive phases of Love Island, with new islanders introduced midway through the series to test existing relationships and generate fresh drama. Speaking before entering the villa, Garland described his ideal type as someone with “intelligence, emotional maturity… confident but humble,” with a preference for brunettes with dark features and tanned skin. He specifically mentioned Priya and Jasmine as women who might align with his type outside the villa.
The timing of the revelation — during active Casa Amor filming — has fueled intense discussion about the show’s casting protocols and the responsibilities broadcasters hold when platforming young contestants with complex personal histories. While Garland’s removal underscores a commitment to addressing serious issues once surfaced, the fact that he will still feature in tonight’s broadcast episode adds another layer of complexity to an already chaotic chapter in the series.
ITV has chosen not to provide further comment, prioritising participant welfare. As fans tune in at 9 PM, they will witness Garland’s brief but memorable entry — a moment now overshadowed by the circumstances of his swift exit.
The unfolding story raises broader questions about reality television’s vetting standards in an era of intense public scrutiny and instant social media backlash. For now, the villa moves forward without Garland, but the conversation around background checks and second chances is unlikely to fade quietly.