Marcel Somerville and Gabby Allen – who originally got together on season three of Love Island – have both been cast in 2025's All Stars.
It's not altogether unexpected that two exes would be in for a villa reunion, considering last year's debut of the format ended up drawing comparisons with Ex on the Beach for that very reason.
But in episode one of the new All Stars, Marcel and Gabby have decided to have a conversation about what happened between them. Marcel told Gabby that bumping into each other was "bringing back that past", while Gabby noted that their reunion felt "weird".
This situation in particular has another thread – many are also wondering whether Marcel is still technically married to Rebecca Vieira, the mother of his child. As a result, the announcement of his involvement in the new ITV2 series has met with confusion.
Let's break down what we know about Marcel's relationship status, his wife and his previous relationship with fellow Islander Gabby.
What happened between Marcel and Gabby on Love Island?
The pair both took part in season three of the main summer series, which aired back in 2017. In case you're in need of a refresher, it was the year that Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay won and which also boasted Camilla Thurlow, Olivia Attwood and Georgia Harrison among its cast.
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Marcel was an OG and announced as part of the starting line-up, but his time in the villa only really started to get going when bombshell Gabby arrived one week in.
The pair's relationship blossomed during their time on the show, and they became a fan-favourite couple. Marcel and Gabby made it to the final and came fourth in the public vote.
Their relationship continued outside of the show, with the pair even revealing that they had discussed the prospect of getting married.
But in May 2018, they confirmed their split.
Why did Marcel and Gabby from Love Island break up?
Tabloid reports started speculating that Marcel and Gabby had ended their relationship, with accusations that Marcel had been unfaithful.
In response, a representative for Marcel said at the time: "Sadly, the rumours are true. Gabby and Marcel have split up."
"Marcel can't really defend his actions as he knows he did wrong and will regret it forever," the statement continued. "Marcel is upset that he broke the heart of someone he loves and someone that he shared so many special moments with, but with all the good times there are difficult times, and sadly Marcel and Gabby had been in a bad place at this stage…
"Gabby was a special part of Marcel's life, and he hopes one day she can find it in herself to forgive him… He knows what he did was wrong and is extremely sad about how he has hurt Gabby."
Meanwhile, Gabby shared that it had been a "tough couple of days" and thanked fans for their support.
A year later, in 2019, Marcel shared that the pair had "buried the hatchet", explaining that they had "hugged it out afterwards".
"There's a lot of pressures that come with being in a public relationship. I think both of us knew it was hard," he explained. "Things happen and you start arguing. I made a mistake. I made a mistake in the situation and I've admitted that. I'm not going to try and deny that."
Gabby was dating X Factor's Myles Stephenson, part of the group Rak-Su who won the 2017 series of the ITV talent show. Myles and Gabby later split.
Where do Gabby and Marcel stand now?
Speaking recently before her return to the villa (via The Sun), Gabby said: "I haven't seen him for six years, so I don't know how I'm going to feel when I see him...
"It was a big betrayal of trust. Even though I'm over it now, it was something that happened."
Gabby told the publication that there were "no hard feelings", adding that she would "actually like to have a conversation with him and put it behind us and have some sort of friendship".
Is Marcel Somerville still married to Rebecca Vieira?
Love Island boss Mike Spencer responded to the chatter that surrounded Marcel's inclusion in the new series of All Stars, insisting that he is "single" and "ready to mingle".
In the interview with The Sun, the producer also urged that fans "give the guy a break" and said that Marcel is "so sweet" and "looking for love".
Marcel and Rebecca started dating in 2019, and announced in July of 2020 that they were expecting their first child after 14 months together.
Not long after they shared their happy news, the couple also revealed that they were engaged. Marcel got down on one knee at an event to celebrate their baby, and the moment was filmed by OK! Magazine.
The couple announced the birth of their son in January 2021, with Marcel posting a photo of his then-fiancée and their newborn with the simple caption: "My Life" (via Daily Mail).
In August 2022, Marcel and Rebecca got married in Portugal.
In March 2024, Marcel addressed rumours and allegations that his wife had betrayed him by messaging another man.
"The last 3 weeks have rocked me to the core," he said in an Instagram statement. "There's no right way to handle betrayal and I've experienced so many feeling since everything happen that I feel a different emotion every hour of the day."
You can read the full statement here, but Marcel concluded his post by saying: "Every action I take from now will only be to maintain that peace and ensure Roman is happy. Any choices or decisions I make about me and Rebecca will be done in private and away from the circus that's been created which I was about to feed into before I caught myself."
At that time, Rebecca also took to her own Instagram account to share a response of her own and "publicly apologise" to Marcel.
"My actions were foolish and have hurt so many people around us but most importantly my husband," she said. "I've said a lot of things that I shouldn't have and it was stupid of me, so I won't sit here and justify my actions. Those decisions should have never been made."
"I want to publicly apologise to my Marcel, just as loudly as the rest of the noise," she continued. "For all the hurt, embarrassment and pain I have put him through, there is nothing and no-one in the world that comes before you and our family. No-one could ever compare. I love you beyond measure, with no doubts, with no question. You are my beginning and my end, my forever love."
The pair do not appear to have publicly addressed their relationship since, and now Marcel has decided to take part in season two of Love Island: All Stars.
Love Island All Stars season 2 premieres on Monday, January 13 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Read more Love Island news on our dedicated homepage
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
