Gabriel Garland removed from Love Island after past alert

Love Island Casa Amor newcomer Gabriel Garland has been removed from the villa after ITV bosses were alerted to a situation in his past that did not emerge during official background checks. The 24-year-old will still appear in tonight's episode because his entrance was already filmed, but ITV confirmed he will not return.

The gabriel love island exit marks the second unusual departure this series and has reignited questions about how thoroughly producers vet contestants before they reach Mallorca. Reports tie Garland's removal to social media scrutiny that followed the Casa Amor cast reveal on June 28, 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Gabriel Garland, 24, was pulled from Love Island's Casa Amor twist hours after arriving in the villa.
• Reports say the issue was not revealed in official background checks but surfaced after the Casa Amor lineup was announced.
• Garland will still feature in tonight's episode because his entrance had already been filmed.
• Reports link his exit to a 2019 New Year's Eve incident in London; he was not charged with any offence.
• There are no plans to replace him, and he is the second Islander to leave the show early this season.

Why was Gabriel Garland removed from Love Island?

ITV removed Gabriel Garland from the villa after becoming aware of what multiple outlets describe as a situation in his past. According to The Sun, the matter was not uncovered during standard vetting but came to light once this year's Casa Amor islanders were unveiled.

Comments questioning ITV's background checks reportedly began appearing beneath the official social media post introducing the Casa Amor cast. Sources say those remarks are connected to Garland and his swift departure from the show.

An ITV spokesperson told Metro: Gabriel has now left the Villa and will not be returning. The broadcaster has not publicly detailed the exact reason for the decision beyond confirming his exit.

What is Gabriel Garland alleged to have been involved in?

Metro reports that Garland is named in court documents linked to Vitor Mazzer's conviction over a New Year's Eve 2019 incident on Casewick Road in London. Mazzer was found guilty of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after two people were stabbed following a party.

The outlet says Garland was at the party with Mazzer and that two victims had an altercation with Garland before the stabbings. Garland was not charged with any offences, and his mother Joanne reportedly gave a character statement for him in court. Mazzer was sentenced to three and a half years in prison; an appeal was denied in April 2024.

Extra.ie notes that the precise details of the situation that prompted ITV's action have not been fully clarified by the broadcaster. What is clear is that producers acted once the information reached them during Casa Amor filming.

Will Gabriel Garland still appear on Love Island tonight?

Yes. Despite being removed from the programme, Garland is still expected to appear in the episode airing on June 28, 2026. As Extra.ie reports, he had already entered the villa and filmed his Casa Amor debut before bosses learned of the concerns.

That means viewers will see his arrival as the famous twist kicks off, even though his time in Mallorca was cut short. There are reportedly no plans for a replacement bombshell to take his place.

What does this mean for Love Island's vetting process?

Garland's exit follows George Knight's earlier departure from the villa, making him the second Islander to leave this season under unusual circumstances. Knight initially cited personal reasons linked to a family member's health issues, though later reports suggested he also received a warning over unacceptable language.

The back-to-back controversies have fuelled calls from viewers on social media for Love Island to tighten its background checks. For more on fast-moving entertainment stories like this, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.

Garland, a model who made his Love Island debut on day 23 of the current series, had reportedly already singled out several existing islanders before his exit. Whether ITV addresses the vetting row on air remains to be seen as Casa Amor unfolds.