Love Island bosses are said to be holding back the reason for Sherif Lanre’s abrupt departure amid fears it could damage the show’s incredible earning power.
The ITV2 series rakes in an estimated £25million a year in advertising revenue, including a sponsorship deal with high-street health and beauty retailer Superdrug.
But The Sun claim bosses are fearful of the fiscal impact Sherif’s transgression might have on the show, with the reason being carefully held back to avoid any potential loss of earnings.
Secret: Love Island bosses are said to be holding back the reason for Sherif Lanre’s abrupt departure amid fears it could damage the show’s incredible earning power
It's understood that executives have demanded a wall of silence regarding his exit, with security drafted in to prevent family members speaking publicly.
MailOnline has contacted an ITV2 representative for further comment.
The 20-year-old chef took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday, a day after the initial news broke, thanking his fans for their support.
The post comes as fans continue to ask show bosses why he had to leave the show without explanation, saying the 'rumours could be worse than the truth.'
Speaking out: Love Island's Sherif broke his silence on Instagram on Wednesday after show axe to thank fans and insist he's 'all good'... but viewers STILL want to know what happened
Suspense: Sherif shared this social media post on Wednesday thanking his fans, but still didn't give anything away
He wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you to everyone including my friends and family for the support I've come back to.
'I appreciate you all and hope I provided some good, positive moments during my time on Love Island and for anyone wondering I'm all good.'
Sherif also hashtagged the popular Islander saying, 'it is what it is', along with a crying-with-laughter emoji.
Meanwhile, Love Island viewers have urged series bosses to reveal the real reason why Sherif Lanre was axed.
The chef, 20, was kicked out of the ITV2 reality show on Tuesday after just nine days, and was edited out of that night's episode, aside from a very brief glimpse of him with his pharmacist partner Anna Vakili, 28.
Fans are concerned that producers' decision to keep the reasons for his departure a secret could be making things 'worse for him' as the rumours circulating on social media could be more extreme than what really happened.
Blink and you'll miss it: Sherif only appeared on the show for this brief moment on Tuesday night and half way through, Iain Stirling revealed he had left, giving no reasons why
Others have commended Love Island bosses for protecting the rugby player, saying that they know best and the decision could actually be 'safeguarding' him.
Aside from a brief mention from Iain Stirling that Sherif would no longer be on Love Island, he only appeared on the show for a split second on Tuesday.
Anna lso barely featured after being coupled up with him up until he left the show.
The pharmacist will be the only girl who isn't coupled up with someone on Love Island ahead of the next elimination, leaving her position on the show in jeopardy.
Twitter was awash with wild rumours about what could have happened with Sherif, with theories ranging from smuggling his phone into the villa to using MORSE CODE.
Close: Sherif and Anna had been getting on well and had shared their first kiss together on Sunday, much to the delight of viewers
Others were quick to point out that his co-star Anton Danyluk, 24, would swiftly step into his shoes with Anna.
Another speculated: 'Sherif got kicked out the villa because he checked his phone to see if Anna followed him back.'
On Wednesday, The Sun claimed that Sherif spent hours alone in the shower before being asked to leave as the rumours continued to gather traction.
Wondering: Twitter was awash with comments about Sherif's departure with some feeling as though the rumours could be worse than the truth
Moreover, a recently posted text exchange suggests the exit was prompted by an escalating row with co-star Anton Danyluk, although producers insist the messages are fake.
Fans tweeted soon after the episode saying that it seemed unfair that so many rumours were circulating about Sherif when the truth might not be so bad.
On Tuesday, Sherif apologised for his actions, saying: '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
Views: Others felt as though Love Island should be trusted to make their decision, given that their primary concern was to safeguard anyone who appears on the show and give aftercare
Exchange: A text conversation posted on Twitter suggested Sherif was removed from Love Island after escalating row with co-star Anton Danyluk over Anna but bosses said it is fake
'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.'
The spokesperson told MailOnline: '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 declined to specify to MailOnline which rules Sherif broke.
Something to say: Memes were already starting to circulate after Sherif was edited out of the show aside from a brief mention halfway through
They wrote: 'Actually feel sorry for Sherif until they confirm what rules he’s broke he’s got some many rumours going around about him.'
'Care about why Sherif got booted off the island than my chemistry exam #loveisland #GCSEs2019.'
'All I want from today is to find out why Sherif was kicked out. #LoveIsland.'
'Tbh by this point, Sherif and #loveisland would be better off coming out with why he left. The rumours are probably worse than the truth.'
She won't be happy: Anna Vakili, 28, had been coupled up with Sherif but it's unclear which rules he has broken
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
'I see the #loveisland aftercare is in full swing this series.
'Letting Sherif get thrown under a bus on Twitter by letting all sorts of rumours fly about instead of just confirming what rule was broken.'
Yet others felt as though viewers should trust the producers' judgement on the matter, given that no one knows what truly happens.
They wrote: 'Do you think by not explaining what happened with Sherif, #LoveIsland is actually doing what you wanted them to do and putting in some safeguards for contestants following two suicides?'
'I need the tea. What did Sherif do that he has been removed? Anyway I trust the producer.
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.
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 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).'
Theories: Fans shared a host of theories widely speculating why he had been axed from the show
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.
Nothing to say: Sherif's departure was briefly addressed on the show, but the reasons behind it will never be
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.
Sherif's departure is the second time a contestant has been ejected from the
