Axed Love Island star Sherif Lanre has said his time on the show ended after he accidentally struck a female contestant and then made a vile joke about it.
The 20-year-old chef used a tell-all interview with The Sun on Sunday to dispel rumours around his sudden departure from the ITV2 show last week.
Sherif said that, while joking with fellow contestants Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury in the villa’s bathroom, he accidentally made contact with Molly-Mae.
He told the newspaper: “I did kick Molly-Mae in the groin area but it was an accident and she 100 per cent was not injured afterwards.
“She did appear to be in pain at first but then she stood up and seemed fine and we started laughing about it.”
Sherif added that this was when he made a foul-mouthed joke about the incident.
He said: “I turned to Tommy and said, ‘That was a c*** punt.’ I realise now that was wrong and I would like to apologise.
“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.”
ITV, which produces Love Island, said in a statement: “Sherif fully accepted and agreed that he broke the rules and that he should leave.
“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.”
The broadcaster had previously confirmed only that Sherif had “broke villa rules” and that police were not involved.
Love Island bosses were later criticised for the way they handled Sherif’s departure on-air.