He admits he 'didn't conduct himself in the right way' following his abrupt, unexpected and premature departure from the Love Island villa on Tuesday.
But while the precise reason for Sherif Lanre's removal from the Spanish hideaway has not been disclosed, a recently posted text exchange suggests it was prompted by an escalating row with co-star Anton Danyluk.
Shared by a Twitter user on an unverified account, a screenshot - purportedly of a short text conversation between Sherif and a friend - contends that tempers reached boiling point as they argued over London based pharmacist Anna Vakili, with whom Sherif was coupled.
Exchange: A text conversation posted on Twitter suggests Sherif Lanre was removed fromm Love Island after escalating row with co-star Anton Danyluk over Anna Vakili
In a response to what asked what happened cause his exit, he wrote: 'Anton happened. Purposely moving onto Anna while I'm right next to him trying to touch her leg.
'Asked him for a chat in private because I wanted to confront him and it got heated and security had to split us up, heartbroken but s**t happens man.'
There is no suggestion that Sherif was responding in person, however producers have revealed he was kicked off the show for breaking strict rules, just nine days after the ITV2 programme began.
The chef and part-time rugby player has since admitted he was to blame for his early departure, revealing in a statement to MailOnline: 'In a case of poor judgement, I broke the villa rules and as a result agreed with the producers that it was best for me to leave the villa.
All over: Love Island 's Sherif has broken his silence on his shock Love Island departure, with an apology, admitting he 'didn't conduct himself in the right way'
She won't be happy: Anna Vakili, 28, had been coupled up with Sherif up until his departure but it's unclear which rules he has broken
'I regret that I didn’t conduct myself in the right way and, as a 20-year-old guy, it’s something I know I will take on board and learn from.
'I really enjoyed my time in the villa and look forward to catching up with everyone on the outside.'
It's unknown which rules Sherif broke specifically, but a spokesperson for the programme confirmed his departure to MailOnline on Tuesday.
The spokesperson said: 'After breaking the villa rules, Sherif had conversations with the producers and it was mutually agreed that he would leave the Love Island villa.'
A Love Island spokesperson has declined to specify to MailOnline which rules Sherif broke.
The chef has said: 'In a case of poor judgement, I broke the villa rules and as a result agreed with the producers that it was best for me to leave the villa'
No word: The reasons for his departure have not been disclosed by Love Island spokespersons and while his departure from his show will be addressed, the reasons will not
Close: Sherif and Anna had been getting on well and had shared their first kiss together on Sunday, much to the delight of viewers
There is no suggestion that Sherif broke any of the following...
1. No smoking inside the house, pool or garden
2. No nudity
3. No masturbating
4. No unsafe sex (condoms must be worn)
5. Contestants who have sex must see a therapist afterwards
6. Each star must be in possession of the complete rule book
But a source told MailOnline: 'Sherif's departure will be addressed on the show, (thought to be Wednesday's episode), but the reasons behind it will not be.'
There is nothing to suggest Sherif broke any of the following rules, but according to The Mirror, the top ones include no smoking inside the house, pool and garden.
No nudity in front of fellow contestants (even in the shower), no masturbating and no drunken or unsafe sex (condoms must be worn).
The site adds: 'Contestants who have sex must see a therapist afterwards (who can provide emergency contraception.
'And each star must be in possession of the complete rule book (and refer to it where necessary).'
Mysterious: Sherif's family took to Instagram soon after the announcement to write that they were proud of him, but admitted they didn't know why he had left yet
No doubt Sherif's departure is a huge blow to pharmacist Anna Vakili, 28, who has been coupled up with the star after the show started a week last Monday.
He didn't get off to a great start on the show when no-one stepped forward to couple up with him on the first night.
He initially chose to couple up with Amber-Rose Gill, 21, but she chose to be with Callum McLeod, 28, and Sherif ended up with Anna.
Sherif is the second Islander to be kicked off the show since it started this year.
Breaking news: Within minutes of the announcement, Love Island viewers took to Twitter in their droves to express their shock over his departure
Soon after the announcement, Sherif's family, who are currently looking after his Instagram account, wrote that they were 'proud' of him but did not disclose any further information.
Aircraft engineer Callum left the villa after five days after his partner Amber-Rose dumped him in favour of Anton Danyluk, 24.
Within minutes of the news about Sherif breaking, fans of the show took to Twitter in their droves to express their shock over his departure.
They wrote: 'Sherif you’ve been a naughty boy #loveisland.'
'Sherif has been booted out of the villa WHATTTTT.'
'Sherif has been booted out of Love Island for breaking a rule that producers aren’t willing to disclose.
'Presumably the rule was against saying “it is what it is” approximately eight trillion times per day.
'Apparently Sherif’s been kicked out the bull and I swear to god if Anton and Anna become a thing I’ll be fuming, cba w that guy
'#LoveIsland... Sherif has been booted out of the villa WHATTTTT... Unlucky Sherif mate x...
What's going on? Before long, more viewers shared memes speculating as to what could have happened
'Sherif has left this villa so does this mean we can get callum back in PLEASE #lovelsland... I wonder what Sherif did to get kicked off Love Island? #LoveIsland.'
Sherif's departure is the second time a contestant has been ejected from the villa for poor behaviour - singer Malia Arkian was kicked out just hours after her arrival in 2016.
In the second series of the show, Malia became embroiled in a row with Kady McDermott over a glass of wine and Kady's love interest Scott Thomas, with the fight turning physical.
Eager to know: The posts came thick and fast as the nation wondered what had happened
Just hours before Sherif's scandalous departure, Kady took to Twitter to claim that Malia had punched her and caused a nosebleed during their argument in scenes she claims were censored by producers due to their graphic nature.
Malia furiously refuted the claims and branded Kady 'a pathological liar' in their ongoing spat which has raged on for three years.
ITV revealed back in May that the Love Island cast will have psychological help for 14 months after the show ends as they update their duty of care processes after the deaths of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
Producers now offer extensive care before, during and after the reality show, including increased therapy, social media training and even financial management.
The first to go: Aircraft engineer Callum Macleod, 28, left the villa after five days after his partner Amber-Rose Gill, 21, dumped him in favour of Anton Danyluk, 24
Love Island have vowed they will work with GPs and psychological consultants to ensure hopeful contestants' mental health are strong enough to take part.
A Love Island spokesperson said at the time:
