However, fans of the show have since pointed out that while Sherif was removed for his use of the vulgar term, last year’s contestant Ellie Brown referred to another contestant as an “ugly cunt” but was still allowed to stay in the villa…
Sherif was asked about this apparent double-standard during an appearance on Victoria Derbyshire’s BBC show, admitting there may be some “unconscious bias” among Love Island producers.
He said: “I feel that the people in charge of the show maybe have an unconscious bias around the regulations for boys and girls, and maybe different races and stuff like that.
“But yeah, I feel like with the Ellie situation, I didn’t even know about it until I came home… but I feel like in that instance, that [the c-word] was directed at someone, that was used as a bit more with malicious intent. Whereas mine was used as kind of more like a joke, but in hindsight it wasn’t acceptable and it was kind of like a vile word.”
Open Image Modal
Sherif Lanre appeared on Victoria Derbyshire
BBC
During the interview, Sherif also maintained that he was removed for his use of the term “cunt-punt”, rather than accidentally kicking fellow contestant Mollie-Mae Hague in the groin.
“I was mucking about with Mollie-Mae, quite simply,” he explained. “It’s been blown out of proportion, but I accidentally caught her in the groin, and went on to joke about it using some crude language, which I don’t condone. And that was against the rules and regulations set out before I went in there.
“But I don’t know who saw it and what context they took it in, but she wasn’t in pain and she was uninjured. [I] left the good villa on good terms [with her], and we had a good friendship.”
When asked whether he would like to apologise, Sherif added: “I’ve already issued my public apology, and that’s out there for people to see.
A rep for Love Island: “We take any instance of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and we speak to all of the islanders to remind them of what we condone to be acceptable behaviour during their time on the show.
“We would strongly refute any accusation of racism. All of the Islanders are treated fairly and in accordance with our duty of care.”
Over the weekend, Sherif gave his first interview since leaving Love Island, claiming that one of his unnamed co-stars had “repeatedly” used the n-word while rapping a Drake song in the villa.
Victoria Derbyshire airs on BBC Two at 10am on weekdays.
Love Island Contestants 2019
Yewande Biala(01 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 23
From: Dublin, Ireland
Occupation: Scientist
She says: "I think people may be surprised. Every time I say that I’m a scientist, people are shocked. I think there are loads of intelligent people on reality television." (credit:ITV)
Lucie Donlan(02 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 21
From: Newquay
Occupation: Surfer
She says: "I stand out and I’m different to the usual girls that might go on the show. I’m more into sports as well as being glam. I can do both, which makes me stand out compared to other girls. I’m more of a guy’s girl than a girl’s girl."
Claim to fame: "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." (credit:ITV)
Amber Gill(03 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 21
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Beauty therapist
She says: "I like tall guys who are muscly and athletic, I like people that go to the gym because that’s what I like. I want someone who is funny and that I can have fun with and doesn’t take themselves too seriously because I am daft."
Claim to fame: "I know a few of the former Islanders from Newcastle, like Adam Collard and Ellie Brown. Everyone knows everyone in Newcastle!" (credit:ITV)
Amy Hart(04 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 26
From: Worthing, Sussex
Occupation: Cabin crew
She says: "I I have weird celebrity crushes like David Walliams and Simon Cowell. You’d never go there obviously but there is something about them."
Claim to fame: "I went on a night out once and Liam from One Direction was there. We were in the VIP bit and so was he and he walked past me and I smiled and he said ‘Hey, you alright? What’s your name?’ He told us to come and sit in his booth and we had a picture together." (credit:ITV)
Anna Vakili(05 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Pharmacist
She says: "I’m difficult to handle, I’m a drama queen and I overreact. I’m clumsy and I’m a messy eater. I spill my drinks all the time. I’m stubborn as well, if I’m in a mood then it’s really hard to get me out of the mood."
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!" (credit:ITV)
Anton Danyluk(06 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 24
From: Airdrie, Scotland
Occupation: Gym owner
He says: "That’s a medical condition that I have… a wandering eye! I’ve never really been loyal in any of my relationships. My last relationship, I actually got caught cheating for the first time in my life and it changed everything for me. I saw how much it hurt her and what it did to her. So, for me going to into Love Island, it’s going to be the biggest test of my life." (credit:ITV)
Tommy Fury(07 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 20
From: Manchester
Occupation: Boxer
He says: "I won’t be afraid to go and have a splash about in the pool, I’ll mingle with people and find out about everyone because at the end of the day I’ll be living with these people for a long time so it’ll be nice to see if I have a bromance in there, along with a relationship. It’s nice to be a bit standoutish."
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." (credit:ITV)
Joe Garratt(08 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 22
From: South east London
Occupation: Catering company owner
He says: "I’ve only had one girlfriend. I knew her locally but I think we started chatting through social media. I meet people in bars, that’s my go-to."
Claim to fame: "I used to play semi-professional rugby." (credit:ITV)
Michael Griffiths(09 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 27
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Firefighter
He says: "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." (credit:ITV)
Sherif Lanre(10 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 20
From: London
Occupation: Chef and semi-pro rugby player
He says: "I’m upbeat and cheeky and outrageous with my own friends so hopefully that continues in the villa. I’m always on a mission to make people laugh.That’ll be of value in there." (credit:HuffPost UK)
Callum MacLeod(11 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 28
From: South Wales
Occupation: Aircraft engineer
He says: "I would say my best feature is my tan - give me an hour and I am golden." (credit:ITV)
Curtis Pritchard(12 of12)
Open Image Modal
Age: 23
From: Shropshire
Occupation: Ballroom and Latin dancer
He says: "I have lived a very sheltered life because of my dancing, I’ve not done a lot of going out partying, going on dates because I haven’t had time to. Being truthful I’ve probably been on less than ten dates, maybe five dates. I have never met anyone online, I’ve never used a dating app."
Claim to fame: "I would say my claim to fame is that I’m on Dancing with the Stars Ireland and AJ Pritchard from Strictly Come Dancing is my brother." (credit:ITV)