Zara Holland, the recently “de-crowned” Miss Great Britain has left ITV reality show ‘Love Island’ after learning her mother has fallen ill. The 20-year-old was stripped of her Miss GB title earlier in the week, after scenes aired showing her having sex with fellow constant Alex Bowen on Wednesday night.

Zara HollandFormer Miss Great Britain Zara Holland.

In a statement ITV said: "Owing to an illness in the family, Zara Holland has left the Love Island villa to return to the UK. Our thoughts are with her and her family and we send all of our best wishes.”

Holland herself added: "I'm so sad to leave the villa but it's important for me to get home and spend time with my mum while she gets better. I've had the time of my life on Love Island and would like to thank all of my fellow Islanders and the production team for all their support.”

On Thursday night’s show Holland had expressed regret over sleeping with Bowen, which cost her the Miss GB title. ”You know when you're in the moment and it just happens,” she said. “That’s really not like me at all. Why couldn't we have just gone to sleep?”

More: Zara Holland De-Throned As Miss GB After 'Love Island' Antics

Announcing Holland’s “de-crowning” on Thursday the organisation said: “We have not taken this decision lightly, we are close to all of our winners and wherever possible stand by them during their reign. That said, we feel we have no choice but to make this decision under the current circumstances.”

“Although Miss Great Britain is the oldest pageant system in the UK, we pride ourselves on promoting the positivity of pageants in modern society and this includes the promotion of a strong, positive, female role model in our winners.

"The feedback we have received from pageant insiders and members of the general public is such that we cannot promote Zara as a positive role model moving forward.” The pageant has since been widely condemned for its actions, including by ‘Love Island’ host Caroline Flack, who accused them of “living in the dark ages”.