Love Island star Jacques O'Neill happily posed with fans as he stepped out in Manchester. The 23-year-old was seen out in the city centre on Thursday night (July 21) where he got to catch up with another former islander.
He was attending Peter Street Kitchen's star-studded bash to celebrate the launch of their new menu and Whispering Angel installation which will see guests be able to sample the rose on its menus as well as hints of the brand within the restaurant décor.
It it one of the first times Jacques has been seen out and about since he quit the ITV2 dating show in emotional scenes. There was shock among Love Island fans last week when it was confirmed that the rugby player had decided to leave the villa following the aftermath of another dramatic Casa Amor and the arrival of returnee Adam Collard as a bombshell.
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Jacques appeared to have found what he was looking for in Mallorca when he coupled up with Paige Thorne. However, the return of Casa Amor threw a spanner in the works and Jacques decided to explore if his feelings for the Welsh paramedic were genuine - by getting to know a couple of the new girls before kissing Cheyanne Kerr. His antics in the main villa, while Paige was away, were soon outed following the 'Stick or Twist' recoupling which saw him stay with his love interest.
He then tried to make amends with Paige and just as they started to reconnect, 2018 Love Island star Adam Collard made a dramatic return as a bombshell contestant. And the not-so-newbie made it clear that he had his sights set on Paige which led to tensions in the villa, particularly when Jacques was told Adam had been 'slagging him off'.
Things then came to a head and a tearful Jacques ended up telling Paige he needed to "get back to himself" and was seen explaining to Paige that he felt the best thing for their relationship was for him to return home so he could be at his "best" for her. He told her that he'd way for her but Love Island viewers have since seen her striking up a connection with Adam.
Since leaving the villa, Jacques has said that taking part of the decision was the 'worst decision of his life' but he has been seen trying to get back to some normality. And fans will be pleased to see him smiling as he attended the Manchester venue after a 'broken' TV appearance over the weekend on Love Island spin-off Aftersun.
Jacques was still donning a summer glow with his mousy brown locks styled to perfection. He donned a pair of black chinos and a matching t-shirt which he wore under a green and white bomber jacket, which fans will know was a staple of his villa wardrobe, and he paired the look with a pair of crisp white trainers.
As he made his way to the restaurant, Jacques was met by some fans who were keen to get a selfie with the islander. And he more than obliged, smiling for the awaiting cameras as the young girls gathered around his side.
Jacques was also seen posing for the cameras with former Love Island star turned businessman Scott Thomas, who appeared on the show himself in 2016 during season two where he finished in third place with then partner Kady McDermott.
Earlier this week, Jacques had fans obsessed as he reunited with dumped bombshell Antigoni Buxton. The pair met up in London for brunch alongside both their mums, Janet and Tonia Buxton, who is a famous chef and television presenter. Taking to their Instagram Stories, the pair shared snaps from their reunion but they have since posted more to their thousands of followers.
"Made a real one for life," they shared in a joint Instagram post. "Took our Mamas for brunch." They also added: "Also why do we look like siblings here." And some fans agreed but others were also left making a plea for them to 'get together'.
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