“Keep scrolling to find out what transpired Published: 20:00, 7 Jun 2025 LOVE Island star Conor Phillips has admitted to breaking show rules AFTER signing up to the programme. The Irish rugby player, 25, is entering the villa in the ITV dating show’s latest series. 4 Conor Phillips is hoping to find romance in the”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
- Published: 20:00, 7 Jun 2025
The Irish rugby player, 25, is entering the villa in the ITV dating show’s latest series.
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Conor Phillips is hoping to find romance in the Love Island villaCredit: Instagram
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The rugby pro admitted to breaking a show rule after signing upCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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The Irish hunk hails from LimerickCredit: InstagramHe replaced the originally announced Kyle Ashman, who was sent packing from Majorca just days ahead of the series launch after it emerged he’d been quizzed by cops over a violent attack that took place in February.
Speaking to press, Conor revealed he’d sought advice from past winner Greg O’Shea.
Islanders are forbidden from revealing their involvement in the series before entering the villa.
Fellow Irish rugby player Greg, 30, won series five alongside Amber Gill.
Conor shared: “I know Greg through rugby circles so I spoke to him about going on Love Island.
“He just said ‘be yourself, it’s a really really really cool experience that not many people get.
“So enjoy it and yeah take it day by day and if you can be yourself you can’t really go too far wrong’.
“So that’s my plan. He was like ‘my advice might be a bit different from others because I won’.”
He added: “I’m 25 and I’ve only had one relationship and it wasn’t very long.
“So I feel like I’m maybe doing something wrong or maybe I’m not in the right places.
“So, hopefully that this is the right place and it should be you know because you’re in a lovely villa surrounded by beautiful people, so I’m hoping that this is the one.”
Kyle has since spoken out about being axed saying: “I fully co-operated 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.”
Masked thugs stormed a wake in Stafford and hacked at a dad with a blade in February.
Ashman, 23, was one of two quizzed but released with no further action.
Sources said the channel was unaware of the incident and he was not flagged as part of contestant checks.
The victim, 38, nearly lost his arm. He was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and kept in for around two weeks.
Another mourner was glassed, one struck with a metal pole, and two people run over by a car during the 15 minutes of terror at a social club in Stafford.
Ashman, who lives in the town, was one of two men to be nicked on suspicion of affray then bailed.
- Harry Cooksley: A 29-year-old footballer with charm to spare.
- Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident.
- Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads.
- Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa.
- Meghan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish.
- Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition.
- Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart.
- Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern.
- Ben Hullbra: A model ready to make waves.
- Megan Clarke: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins.
- Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father’s footsteps.
- Aaron Buckett: A towering 6’5” personal trainer.
- Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro
Departures:
- Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing.
Police confirmed that after the matter had been investigated the pair were released with no further action only last month.
A source said: “This was a horrific attack which could have been even worse.
“Ashman may have signed up to one of the biggest shows on TV with this hanging over his head.”
It is not suggested that Ashman, whose job involves laying and repairing water pipes, was involved in the attack.
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Kyle Ashman was originally announced for the seriesCredit: Instagram