TV star who slated woman for National Rail job tries to explain ‘classist’ outburst

| Senior TV Reporter Published July 28, 2026 10:46am Updated July 28, 2026 10:46am To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Love Island finale can be a fairly dull conclusion to the ITV2 dating show, but this year host Maya Jama aired out the dirty laundry from two months in caffeinated captivity. Before Julia and Lorenzo were crowned the winners of the 2026 run, the finale adopted a reunion-style format, with Jama roving the axed Islanders for gossipy tidbits. Among them were Priya and Aidan, who shocked the gathered fans of the show by confirming they have rekindled their rocky romance. The business development manager, 25, was also asked about a comment she made on fellow bombshell Elicia’s job at the National Rail, which was accused of being ‘classist’ by ITV2 viewers at the time. Priya received pushback from the Murphy brothers and viewers after saying Elicia should ‘go back’ to her job at National Rail, instead of talking about her on Aftersun. Get personalised updates on Love Island Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Kavan responded: ‘There’s nothing wrong with working on the National Rail,’ while his partner Jasmine and fellow Islander Mica laughed at Priya’s comment. Priya received pushback aftersaying Elicia should ‘go back’ to her job at National Rail (Picture: Love Island/ITV2) Elicia buried the beef during the finale and accepted Priya’s apology (Picture: Love Island/ITV2) Julia and Lorenzo were crowned the winners of the 2026 run (Picture: Rachel Joseph/ITV/Shutterstock) RMT Union, which represents rail workers, reshared the video to their Instagram, followed by clips of workers on the train lines, ending with the message: ‘Rail workers and proud.’ Ticketing service Trainline similarly responded with a tongue-in-cheek TikTok clip, captioned, ‘Come for Elicia, come for us all’, showing a staffer holding up company merch. Priya later apologised for her comment on Aftersun, saying it was ‘completely out of line’ and ‘catty’, noting emotions had become ‘heightened’ in the villa. Jama addressed the controversy head-on during the finale, asking Priya if there was anything she wanted to say directly to Elicia, after which she directly apologised. ‘It was obviously not meant to be a job-shaming comment,’ Priya explained. ‘At the end of the day, I was telling you, go back to your day job and kind of keep my name out of your mouth. ‘That was where I was coming from. It has nothing to do with where you work. I sell eye drops for a living. You could have worked at Boots. You could have worked anywhere.’ ‘It’s nothing to do with where you work. I sell eye drops for a living. You could have worked anywhere’ (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) Priya meant go back to your job rather than slagging her off. And tbf she isn't wrong?? Isnt the National Rail always late or some crap. More staff the better😭😭 #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK— Arooj♡ (@anxmkhanox) July 27, 2026 I don’t even like Priya, but come on. The British public wouldn't survive watching any other franchise. The comment was basically just saying, "Go back to your day job instead of chatting shit." It wasn't that deep. She’s apologised 100 times now #loveisland— lay (@Sophiebaekk) July 27, 2026 She reiterated: ‘I was mainly just referencing, go back to your job and keep my name out of your mouth. That was kind of what I was saying,’ at which point Aidan felt the need to intervene and said: ‘Okay, Priya, okay darling, okay darling!’ In response, an ill Elicia said: ‘I feel like a few years back, I’d have probably reacted the same way, shouting and going about that. ‘So, I sort of understand the reaction. I’m proud of my job and I work my a*** off. There’s no hard feelings; we’ve swept everything under the rug. She’s an amazing person!’ Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin Arrow MORE: Legendary children’s TV star Ronnie Le Drew who voiced puppet Zippy dies aged 78 Arrow MORE: Billionaire Lord Alan Sugar has beef with ITVX ‘after paying £5 a month’ Arrow MORE: Awkward moment Reform UK MP’s private comment slating GMB is heard by everyone TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.