Love Island’s Marcel Somerville reveals producers ‘asked him to mention Blazin’ Squad’

Love Island’s Marcel Somerville has claimed he was asked by producers to tell other housemates he was a member of Noughties grime group Blazin’ Squad.

The 31-year-old contestant became known for his repeated name-dropping of the band while on the show, often leaving other younger islanders nonplussed.

But in a recent interview with OK!, Somerville admitted that his Blazin’ Squad mentions were in fact staged.

"I'm going to be honest, every time I said it, it was because the producers asked me to say it,” he told the publication.

"They'd be like, 'Have a conversation with Olivia and could you just let her know you used to be in Blazin' Squad?'

"They got me on the show for that reason, so I had to go along with it. I don't mind because it's a bit of fun and it got a lot of love. But I only said it five times."

The producer also distanced himself from his co-stars Chris Hughes and Kem Cetinay’s budding rap career, calling potential tracks ‘novelties’

After the pair were spotted getting some tips off Stormzy at V Festival last week, Somerville commented: “For the time being I'm focusing on my stuff. I might help produce their track, but I'm more of a serious musician.

“I don't really want to do the novelties," he said.

Last month Somerville's girlfriend Gabby Allen, who he met on the show, spoke out against the racial abuse she's received since leaving the series ended.

The 25-year-old fitness instructor told her followers: “It is completely unacceptable. To know that this still goes on in 2017, it breaks my heart. I’ve grown up in multi-cultural and LGBTQIA environments all my life and to know this is still a thing, I’m mind blown.”

Standard Online had contacted represenatives of Love Island for comment.

Love Island returns to ITV2 in summer 2018.