Ollie Williams has denied shooting animals after quitting ‘Love Island’.
The 23-year-old land owner – who claims to be the heir of the Lanhydrock estate in Cornwall – was dubbed a trophy hunter after pictures of him surfaced smiling by the carcasses of a warthog, water buffalo and sable antelope in Africa.
He allegedly used the since-deleted images to promote his hunting business, Cornish Sporting Agency.
Following his exit from the villa on Tuesday (14.01.20) – which he claimed was to win back his ex-girlfriend – fans believed Ollie was asked to leave by ITV.
However, he has now released a statement denying he killed the animals and never knew about the claims until he left the house.
The statement reads: "Having left the ‘Love Island’ house I have become aware of the press stories circulating in the UK.
"I would like to make a number of comments on the various claims and accusations.
"I had no knowledge of the stories until I had left the ‘Love Island’ villa and all cast members are unaware of any news stories while they are on the programme.
"My reasons for leaving ‘Love Island’ are as communicated on the show.
"I did not shoot any of the animals shown in the photographs nor have I ever shot as a trophy hunter."
Ollie claimed the photographs were taken as part of an involuntary anti-poaching programme.
He continued: "I did volunteer to take part in the conservation and anti-poaching programme in Mozambique, a part off which involves old or sick animals being culled. I was there as an observer."
As for the company – which is listed on Companies House as a "hunting, trapping and related service activities" firm – Ollie has insisted it never traded and said he will not be making any "further" comments on the matter.
He added: "The Cornish Sporting Agency was set up in 2017 and has never traded.
"I feel very passionately about conservation and will continue to support sustainable conservation causes around the globe. These benefit the natural world and the animals which live within it, even if certain elements appear controversial when viewed out of context.
"As I am no longer in ‘Love Island’, I will comment no further on this issue."
Love Island’s Ollie Williams denies killing animals
