Some Love Island stars ditched the fame to return to their cosy jobs at home after appearing on the ITV show.
Despite only leaving the villa a few days ago, Casa Amor bombshell Coco has already gone back to her day job. The 27-year-old had a rocky time in the villa but said she's happier than ever back where she belongs.
Usually, following their departure, Love Island castmates are inundated with brand deals and promotional materials, setting them up sometimes for life. Coco said she doesn't fancy living on her savings until the opportunities arrive and has happily returned to her role as both a graphic designer and a ring girl at boxing matches.
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Coco isn't the only islander to make this career choice as multiple stars have returned to their humble beginnings. Some picked up where they left off and others went back into training as athletes.
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, but 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 2 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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