Love Island’s showrunners have refuted an allegation of “unconscious racism” by former contestant Sherif Lanre.
The 20-year-old was kicked off the show on Tuesday 12 June, sparking widespread rumours about the reason for his removal.
In an interview with the Sun on Sunday, Sherif revealed that he was removed after accidentally kicking a female contestant in the crotch area during a playfight and referring to the incident with the offensive slang term “c***-punt”.
While he apologised for the incident, Sherif said the whole saga had been "blown out of proportion" and implied that his removal was the result of “unconscious racism”, referring to the fact that he was the only black male contestant on the show.
“I've never used the word before and I don't know where it came from. I think I have heard other people saying it and it just popped out,” he said.
“But I realise it can be offensive and, as someone that was raised by a strong and loving mother, I want to say that I would never intentionally harm a woman.
“I know I have been stupid and let myself down, but I was not being malicious. This has been blown out of all proportion and I have been made to look like a terrible person when I am not.”
He added: “I was the only black man in the villa and I was kicked out after ten days,“ he said. “In my opinion, what happened was unconscious racism. There was, I felt, sexism. I feel I wouldn’t have been given that red card if I was a white woman.”
“We have a duty of care towards all of the islanders and as such we would not make public the details of the breach of code,” Love Island said in a statement addressing Sherif’s removal from the show.
Responding to Sherif’s accusation of “unconscious racism”, a Love Island spokesperson told The Independent: “We would strongly refute any accusation of racism. All of the Islanders are treated fairly and in accordance with our duty of care.”
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2
