Love Island star Theo Campbell is launching legal action against an Ibiza beach resort after nearly going blind from a flying champagne cork.
The 2017 contestant was partying at a champagne spray party at O Beach Ibiza when one of the club’s official bottles popped in his direction in August 2019.
He suffered a penetrating cornea injury in his right eye, requiring 11 stitches after surgery in Ibiza and the UK, but continues to suffer severe sight issues.
The 29-year-old reality star says the incident has significantly reduced his ability to work, and is seeking answers as to why his sight has never fully recovered.
Theo, regarded as one of Love Island’s most polarising characters, said: ‘The last 15 months or so trying to come to terms with what has happened have been hard.
‘I’m a positive person and try and remain upbeat but as time goes on the chances of my sight getting back to normal become reduced.
‘I’m speaking with doctors about what may or may not be possible but I also have a number of questions about what happened to me.
Love Island star Theo Campbell is launching legal action against an Ibiza beach resort after nearly going blind from a flying champagne cork. He was visited by Kaz Crossley
Theo had been partying with pals, among them Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne, at popular poolside resort O Beach Ibiza shortly before his freak accident
Theo was one of Love Island’s most polarising characters, appearing on the third series in 2017
‘I don’t know what the future may hold with regards to my sight but I feel that the least I deserve is answers to what happened and why.
‘Bringing this case was something that hasn’t been done lightly but I feel that at present it’s the best opportunity for me to get the answers I deserve.’
He is being represented by Irwin Mitchell who have launched High Court proceedings against Ice Mountain Ibiza SL, the company trading as O Beach Ibiza.
Demetrius Danas, an international serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell, said: ‘The seriousness of Theo’s injury should not be underestimated.
‘He was in hospital in Ibiza for five days where he underwent surgery twice. Since his return to the UK, Theo has undergone further operations.
‘Despite the best efforts of all the surgeons involved in Theo’s care he still suffers sight issues and his condition continues to affect him every day.
‘His injuries have meant that he has been unable to work as much as he would normally, and his quality of life has deteriorated.
The 29-year-old reality star says the incident has significantly reduced his ability to work, and is seeking answers as to why his sight has never fully recovered
He suffered a penetrating cornea injury in his right eye, requiring 11 stitches after surgery in Ibiza and the UK, but continues to suffer severe sight issues
‘Organisers of events such as these have a legal duty to ensure the safety of customers. Through our investigations we believe there was insufficient safety advice provided to customers at the club as well as a failure to recommend or provide protective eyewear.
‘Theo has a number of concerns about what happened and has asked us to investigate. Theo would rather not be in this position but he feels he’s been left with no choice other than to bring these proceedings.
‘We now call on Ice Mountain to work with us to resolve Theo’s case so he can try and put what happened behind him the best he can.’
Theo had been enjoying a raucous lads’ holiday prior to the accident, with Instagram posts showing him partying with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne at his popular poolside resort, O Beach Ibiza.
Just two days before posting from his hospital bed, Theo was pictured letting his hair down with Wayne, who owns a string of businesses on the island.
The reality star broke the news of the incident on Instagram last year, while sharing a snap of himself recovering in hospital with Kaz Crossley.
Theo posted this shot from Marbella, where he was joined by a handful of ex-Love Island stars
Revealing a heavily bandaged right eye, he wrote: ‘Thanks for all the messages and support I’ve got over the last couple days they’re all very much appreciated!
‘So yeah basically 2 eye surgeries later after a really unfortunate accident, I’ve lost all vision in my right eye as it got split in half, who would have thought a champagne cork would be the end of me.
‘But I still have 1 eye left, looking at the bright side of things.’
Theo also thanked Kaz, a Love Island contestant in 2018, for travelling to Ibiza immediately after discovering he was in hospital.
He added: ‘Thanks for flying out to look after me as well babe… if anyone knows where sells cool eye patches let me know.’
Bath-based athlete Theo made a late appearance on third series of ITV’s Love Island, arriving on day 32 before coupling up with fellow contestant Tyla Carr.
But his appearance in the famed villa was short lived, with the reality star lasting just nine days before leaving in eighth place.