Charlie Brake’s former London pad in Chelsea
(Picture: Homes and Property )Fans of Love Island will recognise Charlie Brake as the show’s 2018 runner-up, whose USP was his wealthy family and jet-set lifestyle.
A couple of years ago he was the epitome of the affluent Chelsea boy — he had a two-bedroom flat in Redcliffe Gardens, an Instagram feed full of fast cars and private jets and a very hectic lifestyle.
Today Charlie, now 26, is an older and wiser version of his reality TV self.
He swapped central London for Kent the year before the pandemic, got himself a job and is thoroughly enjoying a slower pace of life.
“After Love Island I spent a huge amount of time constantly out, socialising and travelling,” he said. “It was great at first, but the novelty wears off. I think I had just had enough. It was time to close the chapter on that book and I am definitely much happier now.”
Charlie now rents a two-bedroom modern apartment in Canterbury, close to his mother’s home near Ashford, and is planning to buy himself a house in the area this year.
During lockdown he and a business partner set up their own company to sell Naughty Water — carbonated water infused with flavoured vodka — and are looking forward to seeing how it goes down now bars and pubs are reopening.
“I want to be known for something other than being that Love Island guy,” he said.
While Charlie agrees that Canterbury can’t compare to the buzz and energy of the capital — “I still think London is the greatest city in the world” — he is happy to spend his downtime working out at the gym, playing golf and catching up with old school friends.
“From Canterbury to St Pancras is 40 minutes on the train, so I think that I have got the best of both worlds,” he said. “I went to school in Kent so I still have friends around here and family, too.
“I want the country house and pubs, that sort of vibe. I just found London to be so busy and loud. Out here you can take a breath and I think I have just started to appreciate what is really important in life.”
While Charlie doesn’t regret quitting London for a moment, there is still at least one challenge ahead.
“I am very, very single,” he said. “It is hard to date in lockdown but now that it is relaxing, I’m looking forward to getting out there again.”
