Marcel Somerville: Love Island star targeted by moped gang with machetes in suspected carjacking attempt

TV personality escaped from attack unharmed

Isobel Lewis
Monday 24 August 2020 14:03 BST
Somerville's reps confirmed that the attack had taken place
Somerville's reps confirmed that the attack had taken place (Getty Images)

Love Island star Marcel Somerville was the victim of a machete attack from potential carjackers, it has been confirmed.

The TV personality and singer, who used to perform with the early 2000s group Blazin’ Squad, was attacked while heading to a restaurant in east London in a friend’s car over the weekend.

The pair noticed that the car, a Range Rover, was being followed by four masked men on mopeds while travelling to the restaurant, with the gang stopping alongside them at traffic lights and following them down side streets.

The mopeds, which were carrying two people each, circled the car as they pulled up to park.

“As Marcel opened his car door two of the gang got off the bikes and went for him with their machetes drawn swinging them at him,” a source told OK!. “So he quickly closed the door and they locked the car from the inside.

Somerville (right) with fellow ‘Love Island’ contestant Chris Hughes and the late Caroline Flack in 2018 (Getty Images)

“The attackers shouted again and again, ‘Get out the f***ing car’ as they started hitting the windows of the motor. Marcel and his mate sped off and headed away as fast as possible.”

The source described the event as a “terrifying experience”, but stated that nobody was hurt and that the car suffered minimal damage. It is unclear whether the gang were attempting to steal Somerville’s friend’s car or an item such as his watch.

With fiancée Rebecca Vieira (Getty Images)

Somerville’s representatives confirmed to The Independent that the event took place, but declined further comment.

Somerville, 34, rose to fame on the third season of Love Island, during which he reached the dating show’s final with partner Gabby Allen.

He is currently expecting his first child with fiancée Rebecca Vieira.

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