Love Island reject Sherif Lanre admits calling mixed-race Amber Gill 'lighty'

Removed Love Island contestant Sherif Lanre has admitted he got into hot water with the producers on more than one occasion before ultimately being booted from the show last week.

The 21-year-old revealed in a chat with The Sun that he was pulled aside after referring to co-star Amber Gill - who is mixed-race - as a 'lighty'.

While this was not broadcast, show bosses scolded Sherif for the apparent racial slur, informing him 'you cannot use that turn again'.

'I was talking about Amber to two guys. I think it was Joe and Michael. I told them, "A lighty like her would be hugely appreciated in London. Boys would be calling her all the time".

'About three hours later I was asked to stay behind. One of the crew told me, "You cannot use that term again". I was like, "OK".'

Sherif explained that he spoke to Amber about it to make sure she wasn't offended, which, he says, she wasn't.

'I brought it up with Amber the following day. I said, "I got pulled up for using the term lighty. Maybe it’s a London thing and they don’t use it in other parts of the country". But she told me, "No, we use it in Newcastle all the time. I don’t think it’s offensive".'

He added: 'I don’t think lighty is a bad term. But I can see why they don’t want you to use it on TV. Some people might get offended. I know you can’t call a black person a darky. So I guess lighty isn’t a good word either.'

On the topic of racism, a Love Island spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We would strongly refute any accusation of racism. All of the Islanders are treated fairly and in accordance with our duty of care.'

Yet Sherif has also claimed he thinks he was the victim of 'unconscious racism' in the villa.

The chef suggested that while he was pulled aside for making comments, other Islanders 'got away' with them.

He said there was an 'inherent bias' in producers' minds against him.