Love Island star Gabriel Garland was axed from the villa 'after bosses were alerted to his involvement in a stabbing'

Love Island star Gabriel Garland was reportedly removed from the villa after bosses were alerted to his involvement in a New Year's Eve stabbing.

Gabriel entered the villa as one of the Casa Amor bombshells, but just hours before his debut hit screens, confirmed he had been axed from the show due to 'a situation in his past.'

Now, it's being reported that after Gabriel was unveiled as part of the lineup, 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.

The Sun reported that Gabriel was not charged with any offence and this judgement makes no finding of wrongdoing against him.

Mazzer was jailed for 42 months, and his appeal against conviction was refused in April 2024.

When contacted by Daily Mail, a representative for ITV said: 'Gabriel has now left the Villa and will not be returning.'

Gabriel's arrival at Casa Amor will still be shown on Sunday night's episode. 

It had been reported earlier in the day that his removal from the show was due  to an incident from his past coming to light, after it was not picked up in official background checks.

The official Instagram account for the show 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 Sun reported that this comment and others from fans are connected to Gabriel and his sudden departure from the villa.

Gabriel's exit comes after 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.

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.'