New Love Island contestant REVEALED after Kyle Ashman was axed from the line-up following machete attack arrest
The 23-year-old from Stafford threw the show into chaos after The Sun reported that he was involved in a machete attack in February when masked thugs stormed a wake and hacked at a dad with a blade.
Kyle was one of two arrested by police but he was released with no further action.
And now it has been revealed Conor will be taking his place as he swoops in last minute ahead of Monday's launch episode.
The professional rugby player, 25, from Limerick is ready to find the woman of his dreams and is looking for 'Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.'
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
Revealing his biggest ick ahead of the series Conor revealed: 'Being too needy, or needing to do everything together.
'I like someone to be independent and do their own thing and then we come together and do our thing.'
Conor's entry in the villa comes after Kyle was cited to be leaving the show for 'personal reasons'.
Following the reports, Kyle confirmed he had no involvement in the incident, but has chosen to leave the ITV show regardless.
He told MailOnline: 'I fully cooperated with this police investigation and made it very clear that I had no involvement in this incident.
'I am not a violent person and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation.'
Meanwhile ITV added: 'For personal reasons, Kyle will not be entering the Love Island Villa as planned.'
The Love Island line-up was announced on Tuesday so Kyle's departure will have plunged the show into chaos ahead of Monday's launch episode.
The Sun have revealed they alerted bosses on Kyle being questioned in the attack but ITV said they were unaware of the incident and he was not flagged during the contestant checks.
The incident on February 28 saw the victim, 38, nearly lose his arm after he was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and kept it for around two weeks.
Another mourner was reportedly glassed, one hit with a metal pole, and two people were run over by a car during the 15 minute attack at the The White Eagle Club in Stafford.
Sources said the victim was attacked by three balaclava-clad thugs over an alleged £3,000 debt.
He was injured by a blade that left him with a deep gash and has suffered tendon damage and is now unable to drive.
Police confirmed yesterday that after the matter had been investigated Kyle and another individual were released with no further action only last month.
A show source told the publication: 'ITV were entirely unaware of Kyle's past and, as he was not charged, it was not flagged as part of Love Island's stringent DBS checks.
'It's only right he can now return home to the UK to share his side of the story and therefore bosses took the decision that it was best for him not to enter the villa.'
Staffordshire Police said on Monday: 'A 22-year-old man, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of wounding and affray. Another man, also 22 and from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of affray.
'Both were questioned in custody and bailed with conditions while our enquiries continue.'
Love Island returns Monday 9th June at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Love Island bombshell Billykiss Azeez's hidden ex now has a famous girlfriend
Love Island bombshell Billykiss Azeez isn't just turning heads in the villa - in fact she's turned ex Islander's heads before as she used to date a former star of the reality show Last night, viewers were introduced to the latest Love Island bombshell Billykiss Azeez as she made her grand entrance by taking two of the villa's OG boys on a date. But what fans might not know is the new arrival, who is from Ireland, has a secret connection to a former Islander… and it could stir up some serious drama. Billykiss used to date 2022 Love Island star Dami Hope - who's still in a relationship with his girlfriend Indiyah Polack. The 28-year-old content creator turned heads on Tuesday night when she entered the villa and chose fellow Irish Islander Conor Phillips and Dejon Noel-Williams for her first dates. But one person who wasn't expecting her appearance was Dami – who reportedly had no idea his ex would be joining the show, despite the two still co-owning a party business together. It could also make for an awkward moment for Dami's current girlfriend Indiyah, who now appears on the Love Island: Aftersun panel alongside host Maya Jama, Sam Thompson and Amy Hart. A source claimed: 'Bilikis and Dami have known each other for years after both growing up in Dublin. They dated a long time ago but still run a party business together so Dami not given a heads up on her villa entrance may not have gone down well. Their former fling is guaranteed to be discussed on Aftersun given Dami's girlfriend Indiyah is a regular panellist.' Dami and Indiyah have been together since meeting on the show in 2022 – the same year Ekin-Su and Davide were crowned winners. They're now the only couple from that season still going strong, following the recent split between Tasha and Andrew. Gemma and Luca also fizzled out just three months after leaving the villa while winners Ekin-Su and Davide have gone on to date other people. Since the show, Indiyah has become a standout from her series, landing gigs like presenting the MOBO Awards and regularly joining Maya on the Aftersun sofa. Meanwhile, Billykiss' arrival has already shaken things up especially for Megan Moore, who's been coupled up with Dejon since the series launch three weeks ago. After his date with the bombshell, Dejon admitted: 'She's a pretty girl, her body is ridiculous, we had good chat and she's confident… she's in unbelievable shape.' Irish rugby player Conor also headed out on a date with Billykiss – his first since Megan Forte Clarke left the villa last week. In an exclusive interview, Megan said she wasn't offended Conor didn't follow her and is prepared to wait for him but will be keeping a close eye on what he gets up to next.
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wombourne primary school wins praise from Ofsted
A primary school which was previously rated good by Ofsted has maintained its high standards and been praised for the sense of community it has created with staff, parents and inspector Neil Dixon said Blakeley Heath Primary School in Wombourne set "high expectations for both behaviour and academic achievement" and was a supportive and nurturing report, based on an inspection in June, also said the school was inclusive and had an ambitious school was originally rated good in 2016 and while Ofsted does not issue overall grades for schools any more, it carries out follow-up visits to check on progress. The latest inspection report, published on Tuesday, said: "Parents describe Blakeley Heath as a school where everyone feels welcome and supported. "Pupils are proud to belong to a community where kindness, inclusivity and opportunity are championed."The inspection team also said staff took time to get to know and understand the pupils and encouraged them to "aim high".They said the school was particularly good at teaching them about their local area."Pupils speak with enthusiasm about the history and geography of their community," the report said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Man accused of dog walker murder was jailed for attack on pensioner
A man accused of murdering a dog walker was previously jailed for attacking a pensioner and leaving him with serious facial injuries and a dog lead wrapped around his foot, a court heard. Roy Barclay, 56, denies murdering mother-of-six Anita Rose, 57, who was found unconscious in Brantham, Suffolk on July 24 last year, and died four days later on July 28. Jurors were told in agreed facts that Barclay had previously pleaded guilty in August 2015 to grievous bodily harm with intent, for attacking pensioner Leslie Gunfield ten years ago, Ipswich Crown Court heard on Wednesday. On February 22 2015, Mr Gunfield, then 82, told Barclay, of no fixed address, that he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. Mr Gunfield was left with serious injuries to his head and required 10 titanium plates for fractures he suffered after being attacked by Barclay, the court heard. He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose's body was found, with a dog lead 'tightly' wrapped around her leg. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Mr Gunfield 'ended up with fracture upon fracture to his face', adding that the attack 'totally detached the upper jaw from the rest of the skull'. He told jurors that the conviction 'helps you in so many ways to identify Roy Barclay as Anita's killer'. Mr Paxton added: 'Leslie Gunfield was taken to the ground and attacked on the ground by Roy Barclay, just as Anita Rose was. Leslie Gunfield was struck repeatedly to the head, just as Anita Rose was. 'In his mid-40s, he (Barclay) fractured nearly all of the bones of an 82-year-old's face, having taken him to the ground in 2015. 'Anybody that attacks an 82-year-old man in that way displays a ruthlessness and callousness that defies logic.' His Honour Judge Martyn Levett told jurors that they should not convict Barclay based wholly or mainly on his previous conviction, adding that it was 'additional circumstantial evidence'. Barclay was released from prison for the attack on Mr Gunfield on February 24 2020. Mr Paxton said Barclay was a 'dog lover' who had volunteered at a dog charity while on probation, adding that a dog lead wrapped around a body could 'almost be described as a signature of Roy Barclay'. The prosecutor added: 'This is no coincidence. The wrapping of the dog lead is a further striking similarity that builds with all the evidence to Roy Barclay being the one and only person who attacked Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said Barclay was 'irrational and dangerous' and had been on the run from the police for two years while trying to avoid recall to prison. Giving his closing speech, Mr Paxton said: 'Two very different worlds collided: Anita, partner to Richard, a mother and grandmother, out with the family dog Bruce, before she went off to work. 'Her world collided with Roy Barclay's world, a desperate man on the run from police for two years, having been in prison for beating Leslie Gunfield's face to a pulp. 'Roy Barclay took Anita Rose's life in an explosion of violence. Blow after blow, stamp after stamp and kick after kick. 'Roy Barclay's determination to keep his liberty and save his skin is revealed in the brutality of the injuries he inflicted on Anita Rose. 'Slight and slim Roy Barclay might seem, but his force, his brutality, is revealed in what he did to Leslie Gunfield and Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said jurors had heard evidence that injuries to Anita's brain were similar to those inflicted by 'high speed car crashes'. Barclay opted to give no evidence in his defence on Wednesday. Mr Paxton said Barclay had maintained a 'wall of silence' throughout his trial. The prosecutor added: 'It is his right of course, but it is a choice Roy Barclay has made. 'He made a choice not to say one single word to the jury in his defence from the witness box.' The trial continues.
