With respect to all Islanders, interviewing a Love Island star isn't really ever that deep; and by that we mean the subject matter never really strays far from who they fancy, show secrets or throwing shade at some other reality star they met at a boujie and boozy London bash. Don't get us wrong, that's our bread and butter, but even we like to get to the deep stuff every now and again – but who would've thought we'd be having such a chat with Love Island 2017 star turned Love Island: All Stars 2025 OG, Marcel Somerville. Yep, Marcel of Blazin' Squad fame.
Ever since this year's OG All Stars were confirmed by ITV earlier this week we've been hopping on and off Zoom to catch up with the 12 Islanders making their spectacular return to the villa on 13 January. We caught up with Marcel on Thursday 9 January and we have to say, he really opened up, revealing the true, emotional reasons for saying yes to All Stars producers.
Speaking of his return to the series, Marcel revealed, 'When you've had a year like I had last year, sometimes you want to, you want to do something that is just gonna take you out your comfort zone. Just something that's really positive, like, because obviously, the last time I did [Love Island] it was like one of the best seven weeks of my life. I feel like this time around, I'm doing it more just to take me away from the negatives that happened last year and put me into a space where I can rebuild my confidence.'
The way our hearts sunk for him.
ICYMI, Marcel is referring to the breakdown of his marriage to model and influencer Rebecca Vieira – who he shares a child with – last year. The Love Island star married Rebecca in August 2022, two years after he popped the question. Rebecca began working as a social media influencer in the fashion and beauty world after she was released from prison in 2019 and quickly built up an impressive following. She also appeared alongside Marcel on MTV's Celebrity Bumps, which followed their first pregnancy.
After a fair amount of public relationship drama – including rumours that Rebecca cheated on him – the couple separated. Hence, why he can now appear on All Stars.
Speaking candidly of his marriage breakdown he continued, 'When it first all came out and everything, my confidence was knocked. You kind of lose a lot of self confidence. You lose your worth a little bit and you kind of feel like you are knocked. But to be fair, I haven't really been dating. I've kind of just been trying to sort out life, just trying to make everything amicable between me Rebecca because obviously we've got our son. Just trying to create a good space that we can both work in so that Roman has the best and happiest life that he can potentially have.
'I've been more focused on that as opposed to going out and trying to meet new partners and all that kind of stuff. But obviously, it's 2025 and that's a new year. I'm using Love Island as a way of me diving back into the deep end of the dating pool and just trying to get myself back into rebuilding that confidence of going out and speaking to people and creating new connections.'
And, honestly, we're excited to see Marcel – who is the oldest ever Islander at 39 years old – go on this journey after the turbulent year he's had, but before he tests the waters with the single girls in the villa, he's going to first need to throw himself into the deep end by ironing things out with his other ex, Gabby Allen, who is set to enter the villa on day one alongside Marcel.
Oh, and as far as we can tell, neither of them are aware of this yet. Eek.
We're taking this opportunity to remind everyone that reality stars are human beings with very real lives away from the cameras and the spotlight. Have an opinion, even throw a little shade, but make sure you do so with kindness always.
WATCH: While we wait for the girls to enter the Love Island All Stars 2025 villa, here are the boys they were coupled up with on their original series. Will any of their exes pop up as a bombshell?
Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅.