Love Island's Mitchel Taylor says All Stars 'saved him' as he lost £50k after 'false allegations'

Love Island's Mitchel Taylor has revealed the lowest point after suffering "false" allegations.

The South Yorkshire native was previously accused of being homophobic and "throwing cash" at a homeless man, which he strongly denied. In September 2023, he and his former co-star Zachariah Noble attended an event in London and were allegedly thrown out for their behaviour.

Reports emerged on TikTok claiming that the pair had been homophobic to those in attendance, as well as launching cash at a homeless person. TikTok influencer Ashleigh Huish claimed that the two men were "bragging" about their status before being rejected by security. She claimed a homeless man had asked the pair for cash before they "threw the money at him", she added that they were "incredibly homophobic". Mitch had strongly denied the claims but stated he was the man Huish had been speaking about. At the time, Mitchel bravely explained how the allegations drove him to such a low point, he wanted to end his own life.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Taylor, 28, revealed that he was left with no money in his account and a call from ITV bosses to appear on All Stars saved him. He told us: "I lost my job and so much money - £50k's worth. That money was going to get me through the year – but it was gone. So when it got to November, I only had £800 in my bank account and no work lined up – and I remember ITV production rang me, and told me they wanted me to London for a chat about All Stars, and looking at the money and because I didn't have a girlfriend, plus I was very much cancelled at that time, I went down." Mitchel initially didn't want to appear on All Stars, admitting he wanted to live a "normal" life following his original stint, just six months prior.

But Mitchel admits he knew from the get go he wouldn't be looking for love, he told us he wanted "redemption." But it was a conversation with bosses from ITV which ultimately made him sign on the dotted line to appear on the show. "They said to me 'Mitch, we had a mic wrapped around your neck for eight weeks – for two months straight – every single day. We'd know if you were homophobic or not'. They said they thought I was good TV and knew that what this random woman was saying wasn’t right. The rest is history. I've got to thank for ITV for everything they did for me."

Ahead of entering the Majorca villa for his original series, he admits he had a clever hack to find out who was entering the villa alongside him. "Before you go on the show you have to go 'in hiding' for a week, and I took my Xbox," he said, before explaining: "I asked if I could connect it to the internet so I could listen to my music and stuff, and they said yes. But then I waited for my chaperone to go to bed, so I could sneak back out and Google 'Love Island cast' – so I knew exactly who was going on before I got there. I knew every single person."

Despite leaving on Day 56, he had originally asked to leave on Day 53. When he asked a producer whether his time in the villa was up, he claims that they gave him a "knowing look," implying that they "didn't need him" for the rest of the series. But what does he think of All Stars as a concept, Mitchel told us in partnership with Casino.org: "All Stars is a strange concept because they are putting a load of people together that kinda know each other. Everyone knows each other, I can guarantee most people have probably either slept with each other, kissed each other or hugged each other.

"Or at least met. Apart from me, because I was only in my season six months before All Stars, and I was cancelled for three of those months, so I hardly saw anyone." He went on to add: "Don't get me wrong though, it does work. My friends Tom and Molly, they are genuinely in love. Like they are mad for each other, they've got a house together – so it does work. Like Josh and Sophie, they're a strong couple, and to be honest with you I wanted Josh and Sophie to win – I did tell everyone, including Tom and Molly, that at the time.

"Because I watched how they were, those two just seemed so compatible. But when I went in there, I’ll be honestly, I didn't like any of the girls – they’re all beautiful, but they didn’t tickle my fancy. At the time Demi did, but she made her bed with Lewis – so I thought I’m not going to make effort there because she snogged Lewis, so that was more or less it for me."

Although Mitchel didn't find love on the show, he's now loved up with his girlfriend Hayley who he admits he "bumped into" several times before they struck up a romance. "She's a ring girl for Match Room Boxing and I’ve got a deal with Match Room, so I'm always there. I bumped into her there. But because I had so much going on with TV when I first met her, I said I couldn't focus on a relationship right now, so, a couple of months go by and then I end up bumping into her properly and since that interaction in Manchester on a night out – we've been clicking ever since, and we’ve been in a relationship for nearly six months but been dating for eight months. I don't need TV to find love, put it that way."

The first time they spoke, Hayley had no idea who Messy Mitch was and instead wanted him to take a snap of herself and her friend, Ebony Bridges. "That was a massive green flag for me," he said, after admitting girls who are a fan of his character or Love Island are a red flag.

Although he's previously lived in London, Mitch has revealed that he'll never betray the North and will either remain in his hometown of Sheffield, Leeds or Manchester. "Everyone's just a lot nicer. Me and my best mate went to an event last year and he'd never been to London before, as he's from up north and he was asking someone where is good to eat food nearby, and I looked at him like 'don't do that', and the person he asked just blanked him. And he was like 'What's happening?' It's known for that down south. Also, Sheffield United, my football team. And being near the Peak District."

If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.

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