Love Island fans swarmed social media on Tuesday, after the news Islander Sherif Lanre had been ejected from the villa for breaking rules.   

Naturally speculation was rife over the reasons for his departure, after a cryptic apology from the chef, 20, failed to detail what he had done, while producers confirmed he had 'broken rules' but refused to specify. 

Fans shared a host of theories widely speculating why he had been axed from the show on Twitter, ranging from smuggling his phone into the villa to using morse code. 

Others were quick to point out that his co-star Anton Danyluk, 24, would swiftly step into his shoes with his partner Anna Vakili, 28. 

Sharing their wild theories, one viewer wrote: 'Sherif has been asked to leave Love Island after it emerged that he was using morse code to communicate with the outside world.'

Another speculated: 'Sherif got kicked out the villa because he checked his phone to see if Anna followed him back.' 

Other theories included Sherif 'getting into a fight with Anton'.  

One typed: 'If you remember in series 2 Malia was booted off the show for shoving Kady, if Sherif had a fight with Anton then it would make sense.'

A fourth guessed: 'Can't believe Sherif got removed from Love Island for streaming the Nation's League third place play off on his phone.'

'Sherif took a s**t in the pool. Pass it on,' another fan theorised. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Sherif issued an apology after being kicked off the show for breaking strict rules, just nine days after the ITV2 programme began.

It's unknown which rules the chef and rugby player broke specifically, but a spokesperson for the programme confirmed his departure to MailOnline.

The spokesperson said: 'After breaking the villa rules, Sherif had conversations with the producers and it was mutually agreed that he would leave the Love Island villa.'

Sherif added: 'In a case of poor judgement, I broke the villa rules and as a result agreed with the producers that it was best for me to leave the villa.

'I regret that I didn’t conduct myself in the right way and, as a 20-year-old guy, it’s something I know I will take on board and learn from. I really enjoyed my time in the villa and look forward to catching up with everyone on the outside.'

But a source told MailOnline: 'Sherif's departure will be addressed on the show, (thought to be Wednesday's episode), but the reasons behind it will not be.'

Following the news, social media was awash with reaction - with most centered around Anton's admiration of Anna and his chance to pounce.

A Love Island fan even jokingly hinted that a row with Anton over Anna could have been the reason for the departure. 

One user hilariously shared the now-famous video of Teresa May in October at the Conservative Party dancing to Abba's Dancing Queen. 

Mr Bean was featured in a cheeky message in which he looked shocked and the user wrote: 'Omg what did Sherif do?!?!!! #loveisland'. 

With the huge popularity of the show, it was clear to see why there was such public outcry as one Twitter user shared a picture of a shocked looking Cardi B with the caption: 'What was the reason?!' and wrote: 'Everyone in the UK right now'. 

There is nothing to suggest Sherif broke any of the following rules, but according to The Mirror, the top ones include no smoking inside the house, pool and garden.

No nudity in front of fellow contestants (even in the shower), no masturbating and no drunken or unsafe sex (condoms must be worn).

The site adds: 'Contestants who have sex must see a therapist afterwards (who can provide emergency contraception. And each star must be in possession of the complete rule book (and refer to it where necessary).'

No doubt Sherif's departure is a huge blow to pharmacist Anna, who has been coupled up with the star after the show started a week last Monday.

He didn't get off to a great start on the show when no-one stepped forward to couple up with him on the first night.

He initially chose to couple up with Amber-Rose Gill, 21, but she chose to be with Callum McLeod, 28, and Sherif ended up with Anna.

Sherif is the second Islander to be kicked off the show since it started this year.