Love Island’s Mitch finally addresses ‘homophobia row’ that lost him ‘thousands’ in work as he feared TV career was over
LOVE Island star Mitch Taylor has finally addressed the "homophobia row" that saw him lose "thousands" in work.
In September, we reported how Sheffield-based "messy" Mitch, 27, had been axed by his management company after being thrown out of a party.
The former gas engineer, 28, admitted he didn't conduct himself in the right way during the bash - but vehemently denied using offensive language and insisted he didn't throw money at a homeless person as had also been claimed.
Mitch, who is one of the contestants taking part on the spin-off All Stars, said the person who accused him only wanted "clout".
He told The Sun: "I’m happy to speak about this now but I was never homophobic, it absolutely crushed me that I got labelled as that and not only that, the LGBT+ community thought I was that as well.
"I did read a TikTok out and put a story out saying exactly what happened and all the heat on me got pushed away.
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"I know the producers and the producers know me, they had a microphone on me for eight and a half weeks, they know I’m not homophobic.
"I’ve never been and I never would be homophobic. If I was, I wouldn’t be on this conversation speaking about this now."
He continued: "It was just someone who said something in order to get a bit of clout because I was very relevant at the time and in order to do that it did cause a lot of damage.
"I lost tens of thousands of pounds worth of work.
"I'll always see the bigger picture of I’m assuming they didn’t understand how much of an effect it would make and let bygones be bygones.
"It kind of sucked but I just thought the truth would come out eventually.
"If I was homophobic I wouldn’t be here and get other opportunities but I just know in the back of my head, it was a lie, it will die down and another opportunity would come across.”
When asked if he was shocked to get the call to take part on All Stars, Mitch added: "Yes semi-shocked, before I got the confirmation call to say I was going on, it was on the news, it was on TikTok and I thought it was only a matter of time before I got the call to go on it.
"When I was going to public appearances and events, people were asking me if I was going on All Stars and at the time I didn’t know, so when I got the call, I was just so glad to get the call.
"I’d say 70 per cent shocked and 30 per cent like, it was in my surroundings, people were asking all the time."
Back in September, following the Space NK event, a source told MailOnline: "His management have parted way with him. He's only been out of the villa two months and they can't put up with it."
Mitch proved a divisive figure in the Mallorca compound - and it seems things aren't going to change second time around.
The northerner was branded a "walking red flag" after his treatment of show partner Abi Moores.
He has now vowed to "play the game" on the spin-off season yet said he is eager to avoid being vulnerable.
Earlier this year, had his heart broken after love interest Molly got the ick and coupled up with his best pal Zach.
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He said: "I think I went in with my heart on my sleeve the first time and got hurt and this time I am just going in to enjoy myself and if a connection happens, a connection happens.
"Honestly when I went in for series ten, you saw me and Molly, I went for Molly, I wanted her. And with this one, I am not going to make myself that vulnerable. I am going to play the game."