LOVE Island bosses have defended their shock decision to cast married islander Marcel Somerville for the All Stars series.
Marcel, 39, will be entering the villa alongside a slew of former Love Island stars when the show gets underway next week.
But although fans have been left gobsmacked after discovering he is still married to wife Rebecca Viera, execs are standing by their decision to sign Marcel up.
Chatting exclusively to The Sun, Love Island executive producer Mike Spencer urged fans to “give the guy a break” and insisted Marcel is a single man.
When questioned about Marcel’s marital status, Mike replied: “He had a wife! Marcel is single. He’s ready to mingle.
“Give the guy a break. He’s had a tough time.”
He continued: “Well, I don’t know much about his life. But I think he’s a really good guy.
“He’s so sweet and he’s looking for love. So we are the home of love.
“We create proper relationships. So why not come and give it a go?”
The Sun also asked Mike if Rebecca will be entering the villa to confront her estranged husband, but he replied: “No, she’s not.”
Blazin’ Squad star Marcel originally appeared in series three of Love Island, which aired in 2017.
He doesn’t yet know it, but he will be entering the villa next week alongside his former co-star and ex girlfriend Gabby Allen.
The couple split shortly after leaving the villa when Marcel cheated on Gabby on holiday.
In February last year, it was revealed that Marcel had walked out on his wife Rebecca after she was accused of cheating on him with a US pop star.
The couple share a child together, who was born in 2021.
Days after the infidelity claims surfaced, Rebecca admitted to “cheating” on the Blazin Squad star and issued a grovelling apology.
However, some Love Island fans are still unhappy about Marcel’s decision to take part in the All Stars series while he is still legally married.
One disgruntled viewer wrote on social media: “Marcel coming on this show is just diabolical. Grow up and file for divorce Sir.”
Another added: “Right because like I’m sorry but I do NOT want married people going on this show, even if they are going through a divorce. Finish the divorce.”
And a third fumed: “He shouldn’t even be ALLOWED to be there. Producers are just as much at fault for casting a f****** married man.”
Love Island All Stars is returning to TV for season 2.
Here we take you through the line-up of Islanders’ who are set to go into the villa so far.
Bombshell rumours
Each series brings with it a string of hot single bombshells making their epic entrance into the villa.
Here’s who is rumoured to be going into the villa so far:
Rebecca has since responded to news of Marcel’s forthcoming Love Island stint by posing in a bikini for a sexy Instagram shot.
Marcel and Gabby with be joined in the villa by Curtis Pritchard, Luca Bish, Olivia Hawkins, Scott Thomas, Elma Pazar, Ronnie Vint, India Reynolds, Nas Majeed, Kaz Crossley, and Catherine Agbaje.
During an appearance on This Morning earlier this week, Love Island host Maya Jama admitted she was particularly looking forward to seeing Marcel and Gabby come face-to-face.
