ITV Love Island contestant axed ahead of show’s return as arrest for ‘violent’ incident exposed
An ITV Love Island contestant has been dropped from the upcoming series just days before its premiere.
Kyle Ashman, a 23-year-old water network operative from Stafford, was initially announced as one of the original islanders set to appear on the hit reality dating show, which returns to ITV2 on Monday, June 9.
However, he has since been removed from the cast after ITV became aware of his arrest in relation to a violent incident earlier this year.
In a statement, ITV said: “For personal reasons, Kyle will not be entering the Love Island villa as planned.”
According to The Sun, the arrest was connected to a machete attack that took place in February during a wake in Stafford.
Several people were reportedly injured in the incident, including one man who sustained potentially life-altering injuries to his arm.
Others were said to have been attacked with a glass, a metal pole, and even a car.
Ashman has since been released without charge and has denied any involvement.
In a personal statement, he said: “I fully cooperated with this police investigation and made it very clear that I had no involvement in this incident.
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“I am not a violent person, and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation.”
It’s understood that ITV producers were unaware of Ashman’s arrest when the cast was first revealed.
The decision to remove him was made after the incident was brought to the network’s attention by The Sun.
It is understood no contestants had entered the Love Island villa in Mallorca at the time ITV made its decision, according to Deadline, meaning the show’s format and filming schedule remain unaffected.
The twelfth summer series of Love Island will go ahead as planned, with Maya Jama returning to host.
This marks Jama’s fourth time fronting the main series since taking over the role in 2022.
She has also led both editions of Love Island: All Stars, filmed in South Africa and broadcast each January for the past two years.
This year’s cast includes Dejon Noel-Williams, 26, son of footballer Gifton Noel-Williams, as well as 29-year-old flight attendant Helena, 24-year-old performer Megan, and Harry, a 30-year-old semi-professional footballer, among others.