Gabriel Garland for Love Island 2026 / ITV
Casa Amor bombshell Gabriel Garland has spoken for the first time about his removal from Love Island after just 24 hours.
The 24-year-old was introduced as one of 12 new singletons in the Casa Amor villa a week ago but was told to leave by producers shortly afterwards when it emerged that he was caught up in a 2019 stabbing incident.
Garland, who was 17 at the time of the crime, was cleared of any wrongdoing and was just an attendee at the party where two people were non-fatally stabbed – but ITV took the decision to boot him out regardless.
In a video posted to social media, the London-based model said: “There was an incident that happened at a party I was at when I was a teenager. 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, the legal judge found no wrongdoing against me and I don’t have a criminal record.
“This has resulted in me leaving Love Island, which is very disappointing, especially from a personal perspective. I was also forming a really, really strong connection in there which you guys didn’t get to see, which is sad.
“But I wanted to tell you guys this directly, instead of having headlines say it for me, and thank people for sending me kind and supportive messages. It really means a lot, I’m very grateful, because I do just want to move forward from this in a positive way, so thank you.”
Garland was edited out of the subsequent episode and his removal was not broadcast as part of the show.
