WE HAD BARELY settled into the latest season of Love Island when word landed that Niall Aslam had decided to up and leave.

And the worst part? Everyone had already decided they were absolutely mad about him, and we were none the wiser as to the reason behind his departure.

But as the drama intensifies inside the house (Megan, we’re looking at you), Niall has decided to open up about a childhood diagnosis which has affected his life, and which came to the fore during his time in the villa.

In an Instagram post uploaded today, Niall explained that he has Aspergers Syndrome.

Right, so here it goes...for this post I am putting my laying it on thick brush down and hoping to hit the nation with a love potion. For far too long I have suffered in silence and not acknowledged a massive fact about my life which going into the villa has led me to finally realise and accept. When I was a young child I was diagnosed with asperges syndrome, a fact that until this post has never shared outside of my close family. Growing up was extremely difficult for me and I often felt out of place. I always felt that people didn't understand me, yet I was afraid to reveal my true scales as I did not want the label or stigma that was attached to it. But now I think it is important that I come forward, not only so that I can finally be honest with myself and to those around me, but also so that other individuals in my position can embrace their true colours. It's not been an easy ride for me to come to terms with this fact but I am glad that I can now accept who I am, and am looking forward to my next chapter. I would just like to thank the team at ITV for always backing me and giving me the opportunity to rid my myself of my insecurities and embrace the fact that I am different yet I am still a rainbow fish. I can't explain how grateful I am for the support from the whole team over this period. I would also like to thank the British public for the love you have all shown me over the past few weeks, it has been overwhelming. Now it's time for this rainbow fish to dive deep into the big blue ocean and show the world what I'm all about - there's more layers to come! 🐠#AutismAwareness #BeYourOwnKindOfRainbowFish #LessPrangMoreLove

A post shared by Niall Aslam (@niallaslam) on Jun 28, 2018 at 3:19am PDT

For far too long I have suffered in silence and not acknowledged a massive fact about my life which going into the villa has led me to finally realise and accept.

The heartfelt post, which has amassed tens of thousands of likes in just one hour, gave an insight into the life Niall has led while trying to hide his diagnosis from friends and acquaintances.

When I was a young child I was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome, a fact that until this post has never shared outside of my close family. Growing up was extremely difficult for me and I often felt out of place. I always felt that people didn’t understand me, yet I was afraid to reveal my true scales as I did not want the label or stigma that was attached to it.

Niall has chosen to speak about his diagnosis in order to help anyone else who may be suffering in silence.

I think it is important that I come forward, not only so that I can finally be honest with myself and to those around me, but also so that other individuals in my position can embrace their true colours. It’s not been an easy ride for me to come to terms with this fact but I am glad that I can now accept who I am, and am looking forward to my next chapter.

Niall’s former Love Island co-stars have been quick to commend him on his candour and courage, with Eyal, Kendall and Hayley showing their support online.

Eyal told him:

You’re the most rainbowy Rainbow Fish out there, my brother. So proud of you.

Kendall added:

You should be so proud of yourself, huge respect for you Niall and honoured to have spent the time in the villa with someone like you.

Hayley said:

So very proud of you, we missed you so much in he villa I wasn’t the same without you.

Niall concluded his post with a nod to both ITV and the viewing public for their support.

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