EastEnders icon Patsy Palmer has thrown her support behind Luca Bish ahead of the new series of Love Island – helping cement him as an early favourite on the show.
The 23-year-old fishmonger from Brighton has already made quite a splash – a week before the new series of Love Island has even started airing – by attracting attention from famous fans.
And 50-year-old Bianca Jackson actress Patsy is among those to send good wishes to the tattooed hunk as he attempts to find true romance in the villa.
While it’s not exactly known how Patsy is friends with Luca, it is possible he is a family friend as she re-shared a post about the budding reality star that appeared to have been shared by his mother, Maria Bish.
Patsy added a gushing statement, reading: “Omg @lucabish all grown up and going on @loveisland we cannot wait to watch you.
“You will smash it so beautiful, kind & funny. YAY from your Malibu crew” – and adding several pink heart emojis for good measure.
Luca was among 11 first entry contestants for Love Island season eight that were unveiled on Monday – meaning he will be one of the first to enter the villa for the 2022 season.
Explaining his reason for signing up in a pre-entry interview, Luca explained that he thinks the ITV reality romance show is a easy route to finding true love.
He said: “When you actually look back at Love Island, you can see how many couples it’s genuinely made. I don’t know how many kids Love Island has made but there are a few aren’t there?”
Going into detail about his own dating history, he said: “I came out of a four-year relationship about a year ago. I was enjoying being in a relationship, there were just things I didn’t like and we drifted apart.”
He also said that he prefers meeting new girlfriends in real life rather than via dating apps.
Luca explained: “I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
“If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going - then I won’t be throwing out dates.”
Meanwhile, some of Luca’s cringe chat up lines have drawn attention ahead of his Love Island appearance.
Asked what he'd do if he had to do one thing to impress a girl, he confessed he had a great chat up line, before delivering it. "I do have a line, 'Do you like raisins? How do you feel about a date though?'"
He added that fans of the show will see him bring a fun vibe to the series.
He declared: "I want to have a good time there and make sure everyone else is - you don’t want anyone sulking about.
“I don’t think I’m a bad looking geezer but I think it comes down to personality and who can actually hold a conversation - I think I’ll be good in the Villa."
*Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 6th June on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.
