Love Island winner Amber Gill has revealed that she was scouted to appear on the dating show in 2018, but turned down the offer.
Addressing fans in a question and answer session on Instagram, the 22-year-old said that she decided against appearing on the show in 2018 as she was in a relationship at the time.
“I didn’t actually apply to go in the villa, I got asked by Instagram,” she told fans. “I did actually get asked the year before but I had a boyfriend - but let’s not talk about it.”
She added that she thought “Why the hell not, let’s try it” before agreeing to take part in series five.
Last month, a DCMS committee report found that 83 per cent of this year's 36 islanders were cast by the Love Island team or suggested by agents.
"24 were found and cast by the programme's casting team, six were put forward by professional agents and six came through the general application," the report said.
ITV said: "We are very transparent about how we find people for the show, and whether they are invited to audition or apply themselves, everyone who is seen for the show goes through exactly the same process."
The beautician was the first contestant to walk into the villa and initially started a relationship with fellow islander Michael Griffiths, who later dumped her for Joanna Chimonides.
She then coupled up with new islander Greg O’Shea towards the end of the series, and the couple eventually won the show after a public vote.
They decided to split the £50,000 prize between them during the live final, which aired on ITV2 last month and was watched by a record 3.63 million viewers.
During the Love Island reunion special earlier this month, Gill suggested that she “might move to Ireland” in order to spend more time with O’Shea, who is from Limerick.
Last week, Gill confirmed that she is set to join Loose Women as a guest panellist, following in the footsteps of her fellow Love Island star Amy Hart.
She promised that she “won’t hold back” on the show, adding: “Trust me, I’ll be giving my opinions on everything from cosmetic surgery to open relationships and blended families.
Last week, it was reported that Gill could be set to join Dancing on Ice as a contestant in 2020.
