Love Island stars who returned to their former jobs
Many apply to the ITV show for money AND fame
As well as finding love, the lure of Love Island often comes with the promise of a career as an influencer, night club appearances and lucrative brand deals here and there. Many apply for Love Island with the hope of love AND fame, but there have been a select few who have returned to their original jobs after leaving the villa.
Including the likes of Dr Alex, Coco Lodge and Paige Thorne, find out which Love Islanders have returned to their former jobs after appearing on the show. Over the years, we’ve had business owners, boxers, models, actors, NHS staff and firefighters leave their careers for a shot at finding love, but only a few have returned to their day jobs...
Check out the Love Island stars who returned to their old jobs:
Dr Alex George
Dr Alex George is probably now best known for being the country's Mental Health Ambassador. He starred on Love Island in 2018, taking a sabbatical from his job as an A&E doctor to try and find love. He returned to his old job just weeks after returning from the villa and has gone on to use his platform for good ever since.
Greg O'Shea
Love Island 2019 winner Greg O'Shea, who won the show alongside Amber Gill, was a law student and a rugby player before he became a reality star. In 2020, he returned to his sport and competed in the Tokyo Olympics but announced he was retiring from the sport after the games.
Anna Vakili
Anna left her job as a pharmacist to appear on Love Island in 2019. After the show, Anna joined her co-stars and explored her career as an influencer. However, in 2020, she decided to return to her medical background during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Priya Gopaldas
Priya entered the Love Island villa as a bombshell in the 2021 series and stood out in her entry VT because she was a 5th year medical student. Since leaving the show, Priya has championed the NHS and didn't think twice about continuing her journey to becoming a doctor. In March 2023, she shared the wonderful news that she passed her finals and is now officially a Doctor!
Amber Davies
Love island 2017 winner Amber was studying musical theatre before she entered the villa. Instead of becoming a full time reality star, Amber landed her dream West End role in 9 to 5: The Musical in 2019. In 2022, she's starred in a lead role in Bring It On, a musical adaptation of the 2000 teen film.
Faye Winter
Love Island 2021 star Faye Winter hasn't been out of the villa very long, but she has already revealed plans to go back to her job as a lettings manager by launching her own property company.
Georgia Townend
Georgia may have only been in the Love Island villa for less than 72 hours, but she's been making a HILARIOUS impact on social media ever since. Aside from her hilarious posts and Tik Toks, Georgia has also returned to her old marketing role at LIDL Head Office.
Paige Thorne
Paige won our hearts as she appeared in the 2022 series of Love Island, introducing herself as a Paramedic from Swansea. In September 2022, just months after finishing in fifth place on Love Island, Paige took to her Instagram to show off her uniform as she prepared to return to being a Paramedic!
However, although Paige was all set to return, she recently revealed she wasn't allowed back due to posting pictures in her bikini online.
Coco Lodge
2022 Casa Amor bombshell Coco Lodge certainly made an impact when she appeared on the show. Shortly after leaving the island, Coco returned to her former job of selling shots inside clubs. Featuring in the Channel 4 documentary Untold: Life After Love Island, Coco revealed how due to brand deal money taking a while to come in, she needed to return to being a shot-girl to pay rent.
Jacques O'Neill
After having his contract terminated so he could take part in Love Island 2022, Islander Jacques O'Neill re-signed for the professional rugby club in May 2023.
Tom Clare
Just weeks after leaving the Love Island: All Stars villa as a winner alongside Molly Smith, Tom Clare announced he'd re-signed for football club Macclesfield FC. Sharing the news on Instagram, Tom told fans: 'Back home ⚽️💙'.
Sanam Harrinanan
After winning Winter Love Island in 2023, social worker Sanam Harrinanan announced in August 2024 that she was heading back to her day job, revealing she's completed her new qualified year as a social worker.
Kai Fagan
Sanam's Love Island fiancé Kai Fagan also announced he'd returned to his day job as a PE Teacher in September 2024. He told fans on Instagram: 'First, week back working in Education 📚👨🏽🏫 I've always said I'd return and after the whirlwind of the last few years now is the perfect time🙌🏾
'I was offered a role to work part-time teaching Sports and I jumped at the opportunity. This allows me to continue to do everything I'm currently doing but also provides me with the opportunity to follow my passion and continue my career in education.
'I've always believed that in life you should aim to make a positive impact on others. This is why I pursued my career, so I can be impactful in education and help young people to fulfil their potential, whilst achieving their dreams.
'Being a teacher is something that I worked extremely hard for studying for 5 years, whilst balancing my own education with Rugby and Work'.
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