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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Love Island star Jacques O'Neill shocked and devastated as beloved family member dies

Love Island star Jacques O'Neill has announced one of his uncles has passed away.

The rugby player, 23, took to social media this afternoon to share the news with his fans - adding how 'shocked' he was to hear of his loved one's passing.

Jacques uploaded three images of his late uncle to his Instagram Stories and told his 1.3million followers: "RIP uncle Russ absolutely devastated & shocked, you will be very missed by the whole family [blue love heart emoji]."

Two of the three images shared by the reality TV show seemingly show his late uncle posing for a snap alone, with the third showing Russ enjoying a night out with a woman.

Jacques - whose friend was recently accused of assaulting Remi Lambert - has been relatively quiet on social media over recent weeks.

Jacques O'Neill took to his Instagram Stories to announce some sad news earlier today (Carl Sukonik)
The former Love Island contestant paid tribute to his Uncle Russ following the death of his loved one (@jacques9oneill_/Instagram)

The 23-year-old last shared a selfie to the main grid of his Instagram page three weeks ago, captioning it: "People will always try bring you down wherever you are whatever you are, stay real always and remember the people who always got your back."

Jacques - who quit the Spanish villa during last year's summer series of Love Island - was back in the spotlight earlier this year, thanks to one of his former villa housemates making allegations against one of his friends.

Remi Lambert shared a statement with his Instagram followers in March which read: "Wasn't going to bring this up but this has gone too far now.

"Last night I was assaulted by one of Jacque's friends. Jacques and him followed me on my walk back home from the club and stopped me.

"Then Jacques began to start a argument about the love island beef that was a year ago. Clearly can't move on. Out of nowhere his friend punched me.

"I think it was a setup to get me to react but I'm too mature for this bs."

Remi didn't specify which club the alleged assault took place outside of. He urged his followers: "If anyone saw anything last night message me."

One day before making the allegations against Jacques' friend, Remi shared a picture while walking along a street at night and wrote: "Karma will get you."

Jacques responded to Remi's claims days later, writing on his Instagram Stories: " I'll adjust Remi's story to the truth now don't worry just what everyone wants to hear.

"We'll start by the big lie following him home can't believe he's even put that but I understand why because it sounds bad and everyone starts thinking straight away no way that happened that's disgusting etc.

'I was not physically involved in anything that happened,' Jacques told his fans last month (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"But it was actually 30 yards from the club... I didn't begin to start an argument I wanted answers from him as I got a voice note on Instagram from some lad one night saying he was talking to Remi and he's been telling people that he's going to kick s*** out of me when he sees me.

"So I just wondered if he wanted to or not so I can clarify it wasn't about the Love Island beef at all...

Gemma Owen's ex continued to write: "Saying I can't move on but he's the one that has dragged my name on social media/podcasts since leaving the villa even trying to make diss tracks about me which I just let is all slide because it was quite embarrassing from him...

"Finally just to clear up I was not physically involved in anything that happened only thing I did do was jump in the middle and not let both lads fight...

"Just trying to make it look a lot worse than what is is and try his best to tarnish my name AGAIN that's the real story cheers."

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