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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Christopher Megrath

Love Island stars who went back to their day jobs in Lidl, clubs and the NHS

A range of Love Island stars ditched the fame in order to return to their roles before the show.

The 2022 summer series saw a handful of breakout stars including Gemma Owen, Indiyah Polack and Tasha Ghouri bag themselves lucrative roles as fashion label representatives.

The women of Love Island are usually the most fortunate when it comes to brand opportunities whereas the men don't always see the same response, with current reigning champ Davide Sanclimenti being the only recent exception.

READ MORE: Win a £50 Just Eat voucher to celebrate the return of winter Love Island

That being said, there is no shortage of islanders who have sidestepped the fame and fortune entirely in favour of a quiet life. Some dabbled in the celebrity lifestyle for a short time whereas others said from the get-go the ITV2 show would only be a summer fling.

Jay Younger - Investment analyst

Jay's time in the 2022 villa was short-lived but without him, the world would never have the iconic Davide and Ekin-Su "actress" bust up. Arriving as a bombshell, Jay very quickly picked up the girl he wanted but failed to keep them around for any length of time and was subsequently dumped from the island.

He quickly returned to his office job as an investment analyst because television fame wasn't his cup of tea. Discussing the decision, he said: "I'm going back to work on Monday and sure there are some commercial opportunities out there in the short term, but I think longer term I’ll be back at work doing my thing and back to my day job."

Paige Thorne - Paramedic

Paige ended up as a runner up on the 2022 series after finding love with notorious bad boy Adam Collard. Their relationship wasn't enough to bag them the win but the 24-year-old was never in it for the fame.

During her promotional interviews, Paige stated she would always return to her job as a paramedic. She was hyped before the show aired for having a "normal" job and representing a realistic lifestyle which was only further spurred by her genuine love for the role.

After stepping back into her work clothes, she said: "A little part of me is nervous because it’s been so long since I’ve been off, but more than anything, I’m super excited to be back. Back with my team, back doing what I absolutely love, what I’m passionate about, what I’m comfortable with. I just know it’s gonna be a great shift."

Coco Lodge - Shot girl

Coco entered the 2022 series as a bombshell and brought with her one of the best moments of the franchise - an awkward exchange with Andrew Le Page. She failed to couple up with any of the other islanders and was subsequently dumped a week later.

The star reverted back to her day job as a shot girl after stating she wasn't in the same position as some of the show's bigger names and that she needed "to make money" because she wasn't being offered the same opportunities.

Amy Day - Real estate agent

The 27-year-old starred in the 2021 series of the show, joining the Love Island Casa Amor villa as a bombshell. She coupled up with Hugo Hammond and eventually left with the cricket star.

Her decision to go back to her old day job is a recent one and only after she decided she's enjoyed the spotlight for long enough. Discussing the career move, she said: "Property is something I've done for eight years and returned to three months after appearing on Love Island. I'm self-employed so I've always been aware of the need to keep working."

Greg O'Shea – Professional rugby player

Greg O'Shea won the show in 2019 with his then-girlfriend Amber Gill, but the 27-year-old always had his sights set on going back to his job as a professional rugby player. The Love Island star plays in the Irish rugby union and represented Ireland in the Olympics in 2020.

He has also launched his own online fitness brand called BettrWithGreg which promises "Workouts & Wellness with Olympian Greg O’Shea”. Explaining why he stuck with a career in sport, he told The Mirror he “couldn't think of anything worse” than doing nightclub appearances and flogging products on social media to “get ahead”.

Amber Davies – West End star

Since winning Love Island in 2017 alongside then-partner Kem Cetinay, Amber Davies’ career has gone from strength to strength.

Before appearing on the show, the 25-year-old was a dancer who had worked for London’s circus-themed club night Cirque Le Soir. Since then she has gone on to land West End roles in 9 to 5: The Musical and Bring It On: The Musical.

Earlier this year she also took over from Denise van Outen as the latest celebrity to host the show at Proud Embankment in London.

Georgia Townend – Lidl

Georgia Townend may have only appeared on Love Island for 24 hours – but during that time she made quite the impression.

The 29-year-old marketing executive set her sights on Hugo after going on the show to “genuinely find love” but ended up being disappointed. Shortly afterwards she revealed she had returned to her "normal job" in Lidl HQ.

In an Instagram post, she shared a snap of herself at work which she jokingly captioned: “Yes I work for Lidl and yes that’s a likely contributing factor as to why my time in the villa was so short.

“It’s been instilled in me my entire career that checkouts could be as speedy as possible.”

As well as her career in marketing, it looks like Georgia is also working as an influencer these days. Her 149,000 Instagram followers have netted her deals with Burts Bees, John Frieda and Domino’s Pizza.

Rachel Fenton – Nurse

Rachel Fenton found fame on Love Island series two, but returned to working as an orthopaedic clinical nurse specialist after the villa.

The 30-year-old from Hampshire was working in the UK during the covid pandemic, however her Instagram says she is now living abroad.

But it looks like she is still pursuing a career in nursing as says she is a “nurse living in Dubai”. With 262,000 Instagram followers, Rachel supplements her income by working as an influencer and appears to have an agent.

Alex George - Doctor

There have been a few medics who have tried their luck on Love Island, but perhaps the most famous is Dr Alex George. The 31-year-old returned to working as an A&E doctor at University Lewisham Hospital in southeast London, the Mirror reported.

He was also made the UK’s Youth Mental Health Ambassador by the government a year after he lost his younger brother Llŷr to suicide at the age of 19. But in May this year Alex told his two million Instagram followers he had decided to give up his A&E work as he was heading for burnout.

Instead he plans to concentrate on his mental health campaigning and his work as an author and YouTuber. He said: “I loved being an A&E doctor. For me, it was my dream growing up. Taking the decision to leave the career I love was incredibly difficult, but my purpose has changed."

Faye Winter – Property Consultant

Before entering the Love Island villa, Faye Winter was in the property business working as a lettings manager. While she didn’t win the show, she did come third and bagged herself a boyfriend in the process.

The 27-year-old is still dating Teddy Soares, also 27, and the pair have bought a house together. And Faye has used her property knowledge to start her own business called Faye Home.

She gives tips and advice about the industry on her social media channels and shares home inspiration on Instagram.

Anna Vakili – Pharmacist

Anna Vakili also returned to a career in medicine after appearing on Love Island in 2019. The 32-year-old had previously quit her job to appear on the ITV2 dating show and had no plans to return until covid swept the nation.

Explaining her decision on Instagram, she said: “First day back working as a pharmacist since leaving Love Island. It’s been almost a whole year! Wow can’t believe how fast it’s gone.

“Wasn’t really planning on registering yet but with everything that’s going on it felt wrong not to. We can all fight this together. Stay safe. Stay home. Save lives.”

Since lockdown restrictions were lifted, it looks like Anna has had a career change again. According to her Instagram, where she has 1.2 million followers, she is now an influencer and ambassador to the Este Medical Group.

She also lists herself as an ambassador for global fashion brand Fashion Nova.

Liam Reardon – Bricklayer

Although he won Love Island in 2021 with now ex Millie Court, Liam recently announced he was quitting fame and going back to his old job as a bricklayer.

But, like Faye, the Welsh hunk has his sights set on building up his very own property empire. He said: “I loved being a brickie before winning Love Island so I want to go into the property business.

"I’ll start off in Wales because the house prices are a lot cheaper there. Plus, that’s the area where I have all my mates in the same industry. “There’s an electrician, plumber, carpenter. They can all help and get involved in the business.”

The 22-year-old added: “My dad is in the property business too so he can give me advice and help out. He’s my inspiration for wanting to do it.”

Malin Andersson – Carer

Before appearing on the second series of Love Island, Malin Andersson was a trained elderly and palliative carer. When Covid hit, the now 29-year-old returned to her former day job saying: “I can’t sit at home on my own anymore knowing I have training within the sector.

“If I can give something more than what I’m doing - then I am satisfied.”

After tragically losing her little girl Consy in 2019 just a few weeks after she was born, Malin is now a campaigner and motivational speaker. Her Instagram, which has 738,000 followers, says: “I FIGHT FOR CAUSES THAT PAIN ME.”

Malin welcomed another baby girl Xaya earlier this year and says it has “filled a massive void in her life”.

Jake Cornish – Water engineer

Jake Cornish was on track to win last year’s Love Island if he hadn’t walked out just days before the final after splitting with Liberty Poole.

But the 25-year-old wasted no time going back to his day job as a water engineer. Although he has added another string to his bow in recent months including starting his own business as a furniture salesman.

Dubbing himself the “rattan man”, Jake promises customers “the UK’s largest range of luxurious outdoor furniture, sofas, rugs and beds at the lowest prices”.

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