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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Gemma McCartney & Sophie Goodall

Love Island star Luca Bish says 2023 islanders 'aren't there to find love'

Last year's Love Island finalist, Luca Bish, has spoken about his motives for going into the villa.

Luca, who was partnered with Michael Owen's daughter Gemma Owen for a large chunk of his time on the Island, told OK! he didn't go in there "for a swim and to fall in love" but instead decided to take part for the "experience on the whole."

“If I found love then that was a bonus and if I came out with a load of followers and opportunities then obviously that’s a bonus too," the 23-year-old former fishmonger said.

"Having said that, I’m not really cut out for that influencer life and actually shy away from it.”

He also added that a lot of Islanders decide to take part in the ITV2 show to grow their social media followers and for a "change of life", rather than predominantly to find a soulmate.

"If someone tells me they’re going in there and going to fall in love because five people have had babies off it and they’ve been married, they’re watching the Disney Channel and believe in happy endings all the time.

"I’d say 99.9% of people go in there for a change of life and hopefully come out with a few followers."

Last week, it was announced Luca will appear in the forthcoming series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside the likes of Dani Dyer, Max George and Amy Walsh.

Luca said that MasterChef made him comfortable to do TV again (PA)

The reality star, who split from girlfriend Gemma last November, praised the BBC show for bringing him back to himself after the intensity of Love Island last year made him reluctant to ever work on TV again.

“Making that show has brought me back to being the Luca before the villa,” he said.

“I felt myself again, it made me feel comfortable to do TV again. I was still very unsure if I wanted to be put in a situation where you can be shown in a certain light, but it made me feel so happy.”

On Love Island, Luca survived recouplings and vote-offs to make it all the way to the final with Gemma. However, filming the show came with confrontations, intensity and doubts over who he could trust. By the end Luca was at breaking point.

“I was like a battery and most of my juice was gone by the end of it and I was just ready to go,” he recalled.

“I was mentally not there. When my mum and dad came in [as part of the Meet the Parents challenge], they even said they weren’t looking at their son. And that’s sad to hear, but thanks to MasterChef I feel back and if not better than I have before.

"It’s just learning, but I feel amazing. I’ve embraced it.”

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