LOVE Island bosses have been forced to deliver a warning to the new AfterSun panellists just days after starting the job.
Six fresh faces have joined the Sunday spin-off show alongside host – but half are already in trouble.
Casey O’Gorman, Toni Laites, Yasmin Pettet, Shakira Khan, Joe Baggs and Tyrique Hyde Credit: Instagram
The six stars made their debut on AfterSun on Sunday Credit: ITV
and have both been caught up in separate race rows, while caused controversy when she described one Islander as being a .
The incidents have prompted bosses to step in and offer advice for their time on the series going forward.
A insider told The Sun: “It’s only a week into the new series and already the panellists are the ones hitting the headlines.
“As a precaution, they have all been reminded to be mindful about what they say in the public sphere.
“A few of them are fairly new to the industry and not used to the backlash that can explode overnight – even if they had no intention of causing offence.”
Summer 2025 series winner Toni took over hosting Love Island’s daily podcast The Debrief with fellow stars and
But days into the new job she was branded “rude” and “mean” when she said: “No tea no shade, George [Knight] is a jump scare. I would be p***ed if I saw him walk in, I’m not gonna lie.”
Soon after, series 10 star Tyrique then sparked online debate when he compared Love Islander Samraj to ‘s Vikkstar123.
It led to some members of the South Asian community accusing outspoken Tyrique of racism.
Addressing the storm on his live stream, Tyrique said: “I can’t believe it. I’m the furthest thing from racist.”
He added: “It’s not racist to say people look like one another it can be seen as disrespectful yes but not racist.”
In a third controversial moment from the new AfterSun panellists, Shakira came under fire for her comments on diversity during a live on social media with Toni and Yaz.
Shakira said: “You might hate me for saying this, but someone has just said, ‘Why does Love Island UK lack diversity unlike ?’ I think people are getting really caught up on there being a lack of Black people, which is absolutely fair, but I think you’re also taking away the fact that we’ve got three South Asian people this year.
“We’ve got Mica, who is from the Caribbean, she’s from Barbados. So, there’s diversity in other forms, like, not all diversity is Black people. There’s so many bombshells yet to come, guys, like please just keep with it. It’s not going to be ‘everyone is a white person who is coming in’, like use your brains. Diversity comes in so many different forms.
The big three Yas, Shakira and Toni host the Love Island podcast Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
“We had Ruchee [Gurung] on and we had Sophie [Lee] last year. There’s lots of different cultures to put into the lineup, so cut them some slack.”
After Shakira suffered major backlash online, she addressed the criticism and apologised for any upset caused.
“I apologise if I’ve offended anybody,” she said on TikTok.
“It wasn’t my intention; I was just trying to celebrate diversity. In no way, shape or form am I racist or dismissive of Black people and their experience, and if you feel that way, I apologise. It’s not the way I intended for it to come across.”
Shakira, Tyrique and Toni made their debut on AfterSun on Sunday night.
They were joined by the rest of the weekly panel – All Stars winner , YouTuber Joe Baggs and Yas who avoided any contentions in the first week of the job.
The six stars replaced Sam Thompson and Indiyah Polack on AfterSun.
I’m A Celeb winner Sam, 33, had appeared as a regular on the panel since 2023, but told The Sun it’s time for someone younger to take over.
Meanwhile Indiyah also quit hosting the podcast with Amy Hart soon after the latter welcomed her second child.
Our TV source added: “As is standard practice, everyone who is working on the show is supported by welfare.
“They panellists are focused on enjoying the rest of the series.”
The Sun has reached out to ITV for comment.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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