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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Chantelle Jeanette Pearce

Love Island's Dr Alex calls on show bosses to pick NHS staff for 2021 cast

Love Island’s Dr Alex George has called for more NHS staff to participate in the 2021 series.

The doctor, who appeared on the show in 2018, reckons the appearance of more medical professionals would be a good way for the show to acknowledge efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

It could also pave the way for more diverse backgrounds within the cast members.

“It makes sense. ITV know for the past year there's been so much focus on the NHS and it's good to actually represent that in the cast,” he told MailOnline.

'It'll be good to see some representatives from the NHS there.

“I will be glad to see a doctor on the show or a nurse or someone within the healthcare system to represent every angle of society. I'm hoping they'll have diversity both in body and background.”

Dr Alex also acknowledges that there were “very similar people” that had previously appeared on the series, and that the most unique characters were ones that stood out from the pack.

Since leaving Love Island, Dr Alex has become a regular face on television for handy health advice - which has been needed more than ever during the past year.

In February this year, he was given the title of mental health ambassador, working alongside the government to help improve facilities related to mental health.

His work in the sector became even more important to him following the loss of his brother Llŷr, who died by suicide aged 19 last year .

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In March, after a year of working in a London A&E department, he announced he was taking a break from work to focus on his own mental health.

“I always want to be honest with you guys and the last thing I want is for my page to be a highlight of good days, hiding the bad. It’s been a long and hard year, which ultimately takes its toll," he wrote on Instagram.

"I have really felt it this week and I am aware I need a break.”

But now, it seems he's found himself getting back in his stride - and hopes to provide wisdom to this year's singletons after their time in the villa.

Alex is now taking a break from work after a 'long and hard year' (Dr Alex George/Instagram)

In an appearance on Susannah Constantine's podcast My Wardrobe Malfunction, Alex announced he's working with ITV bosses on how supporting Love Island contestants - including their impending fame.

"I actually sit on a board now, a mental health advisory board for ITV and a lot of the thoughts now moving forward are how can we promote a better wellbeing, not just the people on the show but the people watching it," he said.

"Reality TV can have an impact on people's mental health but it can do it in positive way as well.

"If we think about it and we consider these things when making these shows, consider who you're putting on there - are they prepared for that? What messages are we giving to people?

"Are we representing the body image, the diversity that we have in the UK on screen? Those kind of things."

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