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.

6

Love Island bosses have defended their decision to cast Marcel SomervilleCredit: ITV

6

The former islander is still married to wife Rebecca VieraCredit: INSTAGRAM

6

The couple split in February but are not yet divorcedCredit: INSTAGRAM
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.”

MORE ON LOVE ISLAND ALL STARS

Ekin-Su dropped huge clue she’d signed up to Love Island, says Joe Baggs

Watch as Maya Jama gives a tour of her incredible South African villa

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.”

Most read in Love Island

NO SHOW

Love Island spin off returning – but a show star is missing

BACK SO SOON?

Newly single Love Islander ‘gives away’ she’s off to All Stars villa

EX-FACTOR

Love Island bombshell revealed as star who plans to win back her ex on All Stars

GREAT SCOTT

Scott Thomas will win All Stars for two reasons, says pal Joe Baggs

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.

Play Video

Love Island All Stars 2025: Meet the Fiery New Line-Up!
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 2025 official line-up

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.

Scott Thomas – season 2 (2016).
Marcel Somerville – season 3 (2017).
India Reynolds – season 2 (2017).
Gabby Allen – season 3 (2017).
Elma Pazar – season 5 (2019) – born in 1993.
Curtis Pritchard – season 5 (2019).
Kaz Crossley – season 5 (2019).
Olivia Hawkins – season 10 (2023).
Nas Majeed – season 6 (2020).
Luca Bish – season 8 (2022).
Catherine Agbaje – season 10 (2023).
Ronnie Vint – season 11 (2024).

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:

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu – season 8 (2022).

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.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Major mobile firm to hike bills for up to one million customers within WEEKS

Cheryl terrorised by convicted killer stalker who turned up at her home

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.

Love Island All Stars kicks off at 9pm, ITV2/ ITVX, Monday January 13

6

Marcel’s wife Rebecca hit back at his All Stars casting with his bikini shot

6

The Blazin’ Squad star originally appeared in the villa in 2017 with Gabby AllenCredit: Rex Features

6

Gabby will also be returning to Love Island for this year’s All Stars seriesCredit: ITV