Kyla Ashman will no longer be joining the cast of Love Island UK Season 12, despite being initially announced as one of the participants in the upcoming summer 2025 edition. ITV2 confirmed his departure just hours after revealing the new group of Islanders set to enter the villa. The network cited “personal reasons” for the abrupt change in casting, and clarified that Ashman would not be appearing on the show as planned.
Ashman Linked to Violent Incident, Denies Involvement Amid Love Island Casting Fallout
Although ITV offered a neutral explanation, reports quickly surfaced that Ashman’s removal was linked to a serious incident from earlier in the year. According to The Sun, Ashman had been arrested in connection with a violent machete attack that occurred in February. The publication claimed he was one of two suspects questioned by authorities regarding the attack, which took place during a wake in Stafford and resulted in severe injuries to multiple individuals.
In a public statement, Ashman denied any involvement in the incident. He said he fully cooperated with the police investigation and emphasized that he is not a violent person. “Any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation,” he stated, pushing back against the media narrative and the implications of his alleged connection to the attack.
Brutal Wake Attack Sparks Concerns, But Love Island Premiere Plans Remain Unchanged
The machete attack in question was described as a chaotic and brutal event. Masked individuals reportedly stormed the wake, resulting in one man nearly losing an arm. Other attendees suffered serious injuries, including one being glassed, another struck with a metal pole, and two people allegedly run over by a car. The severity of the incident raised serious concerns, ultimately influencing ITV’s decision to withdraw Ashman from the show.
Despite the controversy surrounding Ashman, ITV confirmed that none of the Islanders had yet entered the villa in Mallorca, and the show’s format remains unaffected. Love Island UK Season 12 is still scheduled to premiere in the UK on Monday, June 9 at 9 p.m. on ITV2. American audiences can catch the season beginning Thursday, June 12, on Hulu. The show’s host, Maya Jama, and the rest of the cast will proceed with the new season as originally planned.
