“Love Island UK” Contestant Speaks Out on Removal After Reported Link to 2019 Stabbing

Brenton BlanchetFri, July 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM UTC

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Gabriel Garland in 'Love Island UK'; Gabriel GarlandCredit: ITV/Shutterstock; Gabriel Garland/Instagram -

Love Island UK contestant Gabriel Garland is speaking out after his early exit

His departure was due to a link to a 2019 stabbing incident, in which he was not convicted, The Sun and The Guardian previously reported

"I do just want to move forward from this in a positive way," Garland said in an Instagram video on Friday, July 3

Love Island UK contestant Gabriel Garland is breaking his silence after his unexpected exit from the villa.

On Friday, July 3, the model shared a video message to Instagram, days after an ITV spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE he had exited the dating series and would not be returning.

At the time of his departure from the show (after his brief debut on the Sunday, June 28 episode), both The Sun and The Guardian reported that Garland, 24, was removed due to production becoming aware of him being named in court documents linked to a 2019 stabbing. Garland's name is referenced in court documents and he himself was not convicted of any offense, per the reports. ITV did not comment on the reason for his departure from the show at the time.

Now, Garland is speaking out on social media, sharing in a self-filmed video that he wanted to "clear a few things up" after "everything that's been said about me" this week.

"There was an incident that happened at a party I was at when I was a teenager," Garland said. "This incident is obviously one that should not be taken lightly and was very traumatic for everyone concerned. I just wanted to make it clear that the legal judge had found no wrongdoing against me and I don't have a criminal record."

Gabriel Garland in 'Love Island UK'Credit: ITV/Shutterstock

Garland explained that the past incident "resulted in me leaving Love Island, which is very disappointing."

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"Especially from a personal perspective," he said. "I was also forming a really strong connection there as well, which you guys didn't get to see, which is sad. But I just wanted to tell you guys this directly instead of having headlines say it for me."

He then thanked supporters for sending "kind and supportive messages," which he said meant a lot. "I do just want to move forward from this in a positive way," Garland concluded. "Thank you."

Garland's name was referenced in documents connected to a New Year’s Eve 2019 stabbing in south-east London, according to The Sun. A man named Vitor Mazzer was found guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. Garland had an altercation with the stabbing victims, and he was not convicted of any offense, per the outlets.

Garland was one of six Casa Amor men to enter the villa in the June 28 episode. His exit follows that of Love Island UK bombshell George Knight, who a spokesperson for the series told PEOPLE had exited for "private reasons."

Love Island USA has also seen its share of unexpected departures from the villa, including that of Vasana Montgomery, who was removed from the cast after videos resurfaced that appeared to show her using a racial slur. PEOPLE confirmed her exit on May 30. She apologized in a later Instagram statement.

Love Island USA's Alannah Keyser was also confirmed to no longer appear on the show as of Thursday, June 25. She shared her own apology video after footage resurfaced of her singing along to a song containing a racial slur.

Love Island UK is streaming on Hulu in the U.S.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”