Love Island couple Molly Smith and Tom Clare have defended Casey O'Gorman after Liam Reardon took a swipe at his stint on the show.
Casey and Gabby Allen were crowned the winners of this year's ITV spin-off series Love Island: All Stars, following in the footsteps of Molly and Tom who won the show last year.
But many fans throughout the years have suggested Love Island contestants don't go on the show to find love, but instead to find fame, a view echoed by Liam who suggested Casey entered the show three times for "clout".
Casey first appeared on Love Island in 2023 when he appeared on the ninth season of the show before starring in both All-Stars spin-offs.
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But Molly and Tom have come to Casey's defence, praising his relationship with Gabby in an interview with The Sun.
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"He's always wanted a girlfriend - whenever he's been around us, he's always been saying how he wants to have a girlfriend," Molly began.
"So if you've been given that opportunity to go on again, and it's a dating show at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity to meet someone, you'd be a bit silly to turn it down in my eyes, so I can't blame him."
She added that Gabby was "beautiful" and that the pair had struck up a close friendship just like Casey and Tom.
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"I think he's a top guy and I think he's got such a good heart and I think Gab, she brings out such a good side for sure," Tom added.
Liam criticised Casey on his podcast with girlfriend Millie Court by saying he had repeatedly entered the villa for "clout".
"What annoyed me in the game the other day, they were like 'who is here for clout?'," he said.
"When some of the guests were saying 'are you here for clout?' they were all getting their backs up. Every single person is there for clout. Why would you want to go on TV otherwise?"
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Millie reasoned that Liam was "looking for clout" when he first entered the show, adding that all contestants know they're "going on one of the biggest shows on telly".
Liam then commented on Casey, saying: "Casey, you know, I like you, I think you're wicked. But you've been on Love Island three times, you've been on Made in Chelsea. If you're saying you're not in it for clout, come on."
Casey has not yet addressed the comments made by Liam, who won the seventh series of the show in 2021 alongside Millie.
Love Island airs on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.
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