Love Island bosses are said to be holding back the reason for Sherif Lanre’s abrupt departure amid fears it could damage the show’s incredible earning power.
The ITV2 series rakes in an estimated £25million a year in advertising revenue, including a sponsorship deal with high-street health and beauty retailer Superdrug.
But The Sun claim bosses are fearful of the fiscal impact Sherif’s transgression might have on the show, with the reason being carefully held back to avoid any potential loss of earnings.
Secret: Love Island bosses are said to be holding back the reason for Sherif Lanre’s abrupt departure amid fears it could damage the show’s incredible earning power
It’s understood that executives have demanded a wall of silence regarding his exit, with security drafted in to prevent family members speaking publicly.
MailOnline has contacted an ITV2 representative for further comment.
The 20-year-old chef took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday, a day after the initial news broke, thanking his fans for their support.
The post comes as fans continue to ask show bosses why he had to leave the show without explanation, saying the ‘rumours could be worse than the truth.’
Speaking out: Love Island’s Sherif broke his silence on Instagram on Wednesday after show axe to thank fans and insist he’s ‘all good’… but viewers STILL want to know what happened
Suspense: Sherif shared this social media post on Wednesday thanking his fans, but still didn’t give anything away
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Thank you to everyone including my friends and family for the support I’ve come back to.
‘I appreciate you all and hope I provided some good, positive moments during my time on Love Island and for anyone wondering I’m all good.’
Sherif also hashtagged the popular Islander saying, ‘it is what it is’, along with a crying-with-laughter emoji.
Meanwhile, Love Island viewers have urged series bosses to reveal the real reason why Sherif Lanre was axed.
The chef was kicked out of the ITV2 reality show on Tuesday after just nine days, and was edited out of that night’s episode, aside from a very brief glimpse of him with his pharmacist partner Anna Vakili, 28.
Fans are concerned that producers’ decision to keep the reasons for his departure a secret could be making things ‘worse for him’ as the rumours circulating on social media could be more extreme than what really happened.
Blink and you’ll miss it: Sherif only appeared on the show for this brief moment on Tuesday night and half way through, Iain Stirling revealed he had left, giving no reasons why
Others have commended Love Island bosses for protecting the rugby player, saying that they know best and the decision could actually be ‘safeguarding’ him.
Aside from a brief mention from Iain Stirling that Sherif would no longer be on Love Island, he only appeared on the show for a split second on Tuesday.
Anna lso barely featured after being coupled up with him up until he left the show.
The pharmacist will be the only girl who isn’t coupled up with someone on Love Island ahead of the next elimination, leaving her position on the show in jeopardy.
Twitter was awash with wild rumours about what could have happened with Sherif, with theories ranging from smuggling his phone into the villa to using MORSE CODE.
Close: Sherif and Anna had been getting on well and had shared their first kiss together on Sunday, much to the delight of viewers
Others were quick to point out that his co-star Anton Danyluk, 24, would swiftly step into his shoes with Anna.
Another speculated: ‘Sherif got kicked out the villa because he checked his phone to see if Anna followed him back.’
On Wednesday, The Sun claimed that Sherif spent hours alone in the shower before being asked to leave as the rumours continued to gather traction.
Wondering: Twitter was awash with comments about Sherif’s departure with some feeling as though the rumours could be worse than the truth
Moreover, a recently posted text exchange suggests the exit was prompted by an escalating row with co-star Anton Danyluk, although producers insist the messages are fake.
Fans tweeted soon after the episode saying that it seemed unfair that so many rumours were circulating about Sherif when the truth might not be so bad.
On Tuesday, Sherif apologised for his actions, saying: ‘In a case of poor judgement, I broke the villa rules and as a result agreed with the producers that it was best for me to leave the villa.
No word: The reasons for his departure have not been disclosed by Love Island spokespersons and while his departure from his show will be addressed, the reasons will not
Views: Others felt as though Love Island should be trusted to make their decision, given that their primary concern was to safeguard anyone who appears on the show and give aftercare
Exchange: A text conversation posted on Twitter suggested Sherif was removed from Love Island after escalating row with co-star Anton Danyluk over Anna but bosses said it is fake
‘I regret that I didn’t conduct myself in the right way and, as a 20-year-old guy, it’s something I know I will take on board and learn from.
‘I really enjoyed my time in the villa and look forward to catching up with everyone on the outside.’
The spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘After breaking the villa rules, Sherif had conversations with the producers and it was mutually agreed that he would leave the Love Island villa.’
A Love Island spokesperson declined to specify to MailOnline which rules Sherif broke.
Something to say: Memes were already starting to circulate after Sherif was edited out of the show aside from a brief mention halfway through
They wrote: ‘Actually feel sorry for Sherif until they confirm what rules he’s broke he’s got some many rumours going around about him.’
‘Care about why Sherif got booted off the island than my chemistry exam #loveisland #GCSEs2019.’
‘All I want from today is to find out why Sherif was kicked out. #LoveIsland.’
‘Tbh by this point, Sherif and #loveisland would be better off coming out with why he left. The rumours are probably worse than the truth.’
She won’t be happy: Anna Vakili, 28, had been coupled up with Sherif but it’s unclear which rules he has broken
‘I see the #loveisland aftercare is in full swing this series.
‘Letting Sherif get thrown under a bus on Twitter by letting all sorts of rumours fly about instead of just confirming what rule was broken.’
Yet others felt as though viewers should trust the producers’ judgement on the matter, given that no one knows what truly happens.
They wrote: ‘Do you think by not explaining what happened with Sherif, #LoveIsland is actually doing what you wanted them to do and putting in some safeguards for contestants following two suicides?’
‘I need the tea. What did Sherif do that he has been removed? Anyway I trust the producer.
There is nothing to suggest Sherif broke any of the following rules, but according to The Mirror, the top ones include no smoking inside the house, pool and garden.
Mysterious: Sherif’s family took to Instagram soon after the announcement to write that they were proud of him, but admitted they didn’t know why he had left yet
No nudity in front of fellow contestants (even in the shower), no masturbating and no drunken or unsafe sex (condoms must be worn).
The site adds: ‘Contestants who have sex must see a therapist afterwards (who can provide emergency contraception.
‘And each star must be in possession of the complete rule book (and refer to it where necessary).’
Theories: Fans shared a host of theories widely speculating why he had been axed from the show
No doubt Sherif’s departure is a huge blow to pharmacist Anna Vakili, 28, who has been coupled up with the star after the show started a week last Monday.
He didn’t get off to a great start on the show when no-one stepped forward to couple up with him on the first night.
He initially chose to couple up with Amber-Rose Gill, 21, but she chose to be with Callum McLeod, 28, and Sherif ended up with Anna.
Sherif is the second Islander to be kicked off the show since it started this year.
Nothing to say: Sherif’s departure was briefly addressed on the show, but the reasons behind it will never be
Soon after the announcement, Sherif’s family, who are currently looking after his Instagram account, wrote that they were ‘proud’ of him but did not disclose any further information.
Aircraft engineer Callum left the villa after five days after his partner Amber-Rose dumped him in favour of Anton Danyluk, 24.
Sherif’s departure is the second time a contestant has been ejected from the villa for poor behaviour – singer Malia Arkian was kicked out just hours after her arrival in 2016.
What’s happened? Love Island fans swarmed social media on Tuesday following the news that Islander Sherif Lanre has been ejected from the villa for breaking rules
In the second series of the show, Malia became embroiled in a row with Kady McDermott over a glass of wine and Kady’s love interest Scott Thomas, with the fight turning physical.
Just hours before Sherif’s scandalous departure, Kady took to Twitter to claim that Malia had punched her and caused a nosebleed during their argument in scenes she claims were censored by producers due to their graphic nature.
Malia furiously refuted the claims and branded Kady ‘a pathological liar’ in their ongoing spat which has raged on for three years.
ITV revealed back in May that the Love Island cast will have psychological help for 14 months after the show ends as they update their duty of care processes after the deaths of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
Producers now offer extensive care before, during and after the reality show, including increased therapy, social media training and even financial management.
Love Island have vowed they will work with GPs and psychological consultants to ensure hopeful contestants’ mental health are strong enough to take part.
Love Island: ITV has revealed key changes to their duty of care processes including enhanced psychological support and social media and financial training following reality star deaths (pictured Mike Thalassitis who passed away in March)
A Love Island spokesperson said at the time: ‘The medical team also contacts each Islander’s GP to check they feel that person is able to take part.’
During filming, there is also a medical team who can be talked with at any time, and who monitor contestants to ensure they do not develop problems inside the villa.
When it comes to aftercare, Love Island ensure they give contestants a debrief on location with a psychological consultant.
Islanders are also given advice on adjusting to fame, and meet with a press team who go over any media coverage they had while on the show.
Producers also make sure each contestant has access to any other aftercare support if they need it, according to the publication.
Tragic: Sophie Gradon, (pictured) who appeared in the 2016 show took her own life in June last year – Mike, who appeared on the 2017 show found dead in woodlands in March
Following the death of Sophie Gradon, who hanged herself at her family home last year, and Mike Thalassitis, 26, who also committed suicide, Love Island contacted experienced physician and Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Litchfield.
He independently reviewed the medical procedure the ITV show had in place to offer regular therapy to all contestants and not just the ones who reached out.
Now Islanders will be given social media training and financial management to help adjust to fame.
The spokesperson told the publication: ‘The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the islanders asking us for support but for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis.’
LOVE ISLAND 2019: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Strictly speaking: Curtis is AJ Pritchard’s kid brother
Name: Curtis Pritchard
Age: 23
Occupation: Latin and Ballroom Pro
Location: Shropshire
Claim To Fame: Curtis is a pro dancer on Dancing With The Stars in Ireland, and is the younger brother of Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Pritchard
Thoughts On Dating: ‘I’ve probably been on less than ten dates, maybe five. I’ve never used a dating app. All of this meeting people on social media and apps is fake,’ he says
Ever Cheated? ‘I have cheated before. I will always be loyal from now on’
Exotic: Anna boasts a Middle-Eastern heritage
Name: Anna Vakili
Age: 28
Occupation: Pharmacist
Location: London
Claim To Fame: ‘I ended up on the Iranian News earlier this year when my sister and I were away in Qatar with two Iranian footballers who have a huge following. Suddenly my followers went up by 20,000 and I started being tagged in fan pages!’ she recalls
Marks Out Of 10? ‘I would rate myself an eight. My best feature is my eyes, I get compliments on my eyes a lot. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve had a compliment on my eyes’
She blinded me with science: Yewande has been unlucky in love
Name: Yewande Biala
Age: 23
Occupation: Scientist
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Thoughts On Love: Yewande says: ‘I don’t think there is a science to finding love and if there is then I have clearly been reading the wrong books’
Celebrity Crush: Anthony Joshua
In It To Win It? ‘I am a terrible flirt but I’m such a girly girl and I can’t imagine stealing someone’s man in there. I don’t think I’d be that type but never say never,’ she says
Too fast, too fury-ous: Tommy’s a boxer… like his brother
Name: Tommy Fury
Age: 20
Occupation: Boxer
Location: Manchester
Looking For? ‘Blonde hair, blue eyes, good tan, gym girl… Ariana Grande. That girl is fire!’
Claim To Fame: ‘It’s probably my brother, Tyson, but I’m my own man and I’ve said it throughout my whole boxing career. I don’t want to be labelled as his little brother, I’m my own man and I’m doing the best that I can do in life and that’s all I’m setting out to achieve,’ Tommy says
Hot stuff: Fireman Michael wants to be ‘someone’s personal hero’
Name: Michael Griffiths
Age: 27
Occupation: Firefighter
Location: Liverpool
Marks Out Of Ten? ‘I get complimented on my smile a lot. People seem to be obsessed with my lips. I’d rate myself ten out of ten, I would have said nine but I’m a hero so it bumps it up,’ is Michael’s modest answer
Ever Cheated? ‘Once. It was a revenge cheat’
Up and away: Welsh Callum works in aviation
Name: Callum Macleod
Age: 28
Occupation: Aircraft Engineer
Location: South Wales
Disastrous Dating Story: ‘I went to the cinema with a girl and she sat on a piece of chocolate that melted onto her leather trousers,’ Callum recalls. ‘She shot off to the toilet to clean them and didn’t come back for ages. I watched the majority of the film on my own. I later found her fretting in the toilets because she couldn’t get her trousers back on’
Cocky? Amber rates herself 10/10
Name: Amber Gill
Age: 21
Occupation: Beauty Therapist
Location: Newcastle
Disastrous Dating Story: ‘I was speaking to this guy and he lived in Manchester and I got the train down to see him,’ Amber recounts. ‘I was nervous because he was really good looking and a bit older than me. I had five Cosmopolitans in a can and I drank them on the train. When the train got to Manchester I got up and I was drunk! He was waiting for me at the train station and when I got off I fell through the gap between the train and platform. What an icebreaker though!’
Got talent? Amy has a crush on David Walliams and Simon Cowell
Name: Amy Hart
Age: 26
Occupation: Cabin Crew
Location: Worthing, Sussex
Celebrity Crushes: Liam Hemsworth, Ashley Banjo, David Walliams and Simon Cowell. ‘You’d never go there obviously but there is something about them,’ Amy says
Claim To Fame: Amy once met Liam Payne and had a photo with him. When she posted it online she was bombarded with hate mail from One Directioners, who thought she was his new squeeze
Food of love: Sherif is a dab-hand in the kitchen
Name: Sherif Lanre
Age: 20
Occupation: Chef and Semi-pro Rugby Player
Location: London
Worst traits: ‘Number one would be that I’m pretty outrageous, that can also translate to the bad side,’ Sherif says. ‘On top of that, I laugh at everything which sometimes gets me into trouble. I can’t really take anything seriously. My actual laugh, my hysterical laugh is pretty ugly’
Fitness first: Anton wants a girl who likes working out
Name: Anton Danyluk
Age: 24
Occupation: Gym Owner
Location: Airdrie, Scotland
Worst Date: ‘I bought myself a Porsche when I was 21, as you do! I picked a girl up in that and she started taking pictures when she was in the car and sending it to her friends. It shouldn’t matter what I was driving whether that be a Corsa or a Porsche so I finished the date right there’
Clumsy: Jack says he’s a total klutz
Name: Joe Garratt
Age: 22
Occupation: Catering Company Owner
Location: London
Marks Out Of 10? ‘Today, I reckon about an 8.5! In the mornings I’m probably like a low 8. I consistently stay around the 8s to 9s in my opinion. Maybe some days I go past the 9, when it’s a really good day…. a suit day. My best feature is my chat. I’m cheeky and a bit of a charmer. Looks wise, I’d say my best features are my teeth or curly hair’
Name: Lucie Donlan
Age: 21
Occupation: Surfer
Location: Newquay
Famous exes? ‘The last guy I was with was Charlie [Frederick] from last year’s Love Island. We got together a few weeks after he came out of the villa. I’ve spoken to Joey Essex on and off because I love his personality, it’s so funny. Lookswise I like Jay Alvarrez. He surfs, skydives and he’s got amazing hair. I would marry him!’
Footballer’s ex: Molly-Mae Hague is looking for true love
Name: Molly-Mae Hague
Age: 20
Occupation: Social Media Influencer, ex-girlfriend of Leicester City’s James Maddison
Location: Hertfordshire
Dating History: ‘ All the dates I’ve been on have been guys from Instagram. A few footballers have slid into my DMs. I’ve dated footballers, it’s all just superficial and on the surface. And then you get to know them and they’re just a bang average “Jack the Lad”.’