Love Island's Jacques reveals he was 'scared of life' after quitting show
He made the decision to quit the show
Love Island 2022 star Jacques O'Neill has appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss his shock exit from the villa, admitting he received death threats following his decision.
23-year-old Jacques made the decision to quit the villa after admitting he no longer felt like himself following Casa Amor, leaving viewers in tears as he said an emotional goodbye to love interest Paige Thorne and the rest of the Islanders.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway on Thursday 4th August, the former rugby player has now confessed he was 'scared of life'.
He told the hosts: "I was very scared. I was scared of life and what was to come next for me.
"When I was in the holding villa after I left the actual villa, I just wanted my mum. All I wanted to do was just be with my mum and literally just go into hiding. I was getting so much hate and me and my mum were getting death threats and everything.
"I was like, 'Mum, we just need to stay indoors, I’m going to delete social media and I’m never going to be seen'."
However, after taking a number of days away, Jacques admitted he later realised he was inundated with positive messages, with many praising him for opening up about living with ADHD.
He added: "I then started to get messages saying I'm a role model with the ADHD thing and I decided I need to stand up and be there for them. I was overwhelmed with it all. I've been posting a lot saying thank you because if it wasn't for them, I would still be in that dark place, if it wasn't for the people giving me love I would be in a bad place.
"I suddenly thought if people are thinking this about me, I can't just turn my back on it. I need to stand up and do something. I was getting fully grown men message me and say I was an inspiration. It was overwhelming."
Follow this year's Islanders on social media:
Paige Thorne
Age: 24
From: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Instagram: paigethornex
Dami Hope
Age: 26
From: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Instagram: damihope
Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
From: London
Occupation: Hotel Waitress
Instagram: 1ndiyah
Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
From: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student (Strength and Conditioning)
Instagram: liamllew_
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
From: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and Dancer
Instagram: tashaghouri
Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
From: Rome, Italy (Lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business Manager
Instagram: davidesancli
Gemma Owen
Age: 19
From: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Instagram: gemowendressage_ and gemowen_1
Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Instagram: ikenna._
Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
From: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Instagram: andrewlepage
Amber Beckford
Age: 24
From: London
Occupation: Nanny
Instagram: amberbeckford
Luca Bish
Age: 23
From: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Instagram: lucabish
Afia Tonkmor
Age: 25
From: London
Occupation: Lounge Host at a Private Members Club
Instagram: afiatonkmor
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Age: 27
From: Essex
Occupation: Actress
Instagram: ekinsuofficial
Jacques O’Neill
Age: 23
From: Cumbria
Occupation: Professional Rugby League Player
Instagram: jacques9oneill_
Jay Younger
Age: 28
From: Edinburgh
Occupation: Investment Analyst
Instagram: jayyounger_
Remi Lambert
Age: 22
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
Instagram: remilambo
Danica Taylor
Age: 21
From: Leicester
Occupation: Dancer
Instagram: _danicataylor
Antigoni Buxton
Age: 26
From: Cyprus/London
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Instagram: antigoni
Charlie Radnedge
Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Real Estate Development
Instagram: charlieradnedge
Jazmine Nichol
Age: 21
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Nightclub Manager
Instagram: jazminejaynenichol
Chyna Mills
Age: 23
From: Leeds
Occupation: Youth Support Worker
Instagram: chymills_
Summer Botwe
Age: 23
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Events Decor Business Co-owner
Instagram: summerbotwe
Coco Lodge
Age: 27
From: Surrey
Occupation: Graphic designer/ring girl/shot girl
Instagram: coco_lodge
Cheyanne Kerr
Age: 23
From: Barnsley
Occupation: Cabin Crew
Instagram: cheyannekerr_
Mollie Salmon
Age: 23
From: Southampton
Occupation: Make-up artist
Instagram: mollie_salmon
Josh Samuel Le Grove
Age: 22
From: Essex
Occupation: Model
Instagram: josh_legrove
Samuel Agbiji
Age: 22
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
Instagram: samuelagbiji
Billy Brown
Age: 23
From: Surrey
Occupation: Roofing Company Director
Instagram: billybrown11
Jack Keating
Age: 23
From: Dublin
Occupation: Social Media Marketing
Instagram: jackkeating11
George Tasker
Age: 23
From: Cotswolds
Occupation: Labourer
Instagram: georgetasker__
Deji Adeniyi
Age: 25
From: Bedford
Occupation: Accounts Manager
Instagram: deji.adeniyi
Adam Collard
Age: 26
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Personal Trainer/Former Islander
Instagram: adamcollard
Lacey Edwards
Age: 25
From: Swindon
Occupation: Professional Dancer
Instagram: layedwards
Jamie Allen
Age: 27
From: Preston
Occupation: Professional Footballer
Instagram: jamie_allen12
Nathalia Campos
Age: 23
From: Brazil
Occupation: Operations Manager/Content Creator
Instagram: nathaliaxcampos
Reece Ford
Age: 23
From: Coventry
Occupation: Model
Instagram: _reeceford
Whilst he was in the villa, Jacques' family revealed he'd been diagnosed with ADHD when he was nine-years-old.
They wrote: 'By no means is this a get out clause for his actions but it is to show that he can fundamentally struggle with his emotions at times.
'He is an amazing person who I’m proud to call my friend/little brother.
'All the hate thrown towards Jacques doesn’t go to him directly….It comes to his loved ones who have always supported him and not just whilst he is on Love Island.
'Love Island, although real. Is still a show where the producers do have control and we see 45minutes out of the 1440 in 24hours.
'Please be kind♥️'. (sic)
Despite admitting he would wait on the outside for Paige, after seeing her couple up with Adam Collard, Jacques later removed all trace of the Welsh paramedic from his Instagram page.
Paige has since revealed her reasoning for deciding to stay in the villa.
The Love Island reunion show airs on Sunday 7th August.
Now read:
Love Island: Jacques' family urge fans to 'be kind' as they reveal medical condition
Love Island's final voting figures revealed and you may be shocked
Love Island's Paige reveals why she didn't leave with Jacques