Newcastle's former Love Island star Rebecca Gormley has shared a key piece of advice to those heading into the villa this summer.
The 24-year-old who appeared on the 2020 series of Love Island, told ChronicleLive she will be "100% watching this year's series" as she revealed her best tips for contestants getting ready to appear on the show.
Rebecca, from Wallsend, said: "I think it is very interesting to watch because you look and think, 'I was in there,' so you know exactly how they are feeling. When I went onto the show, I was just totally myself.
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"I think people go on the show thinking that they are going to get fame but there are other things that come with it, so I think you have to be 100% sure that's what you want to do. My advice would be to go in, be yourself, and do what makes you happy."
She added: "You are going on the show for yourself. To make friends and find love and all the opportunities that come with it."
Former Miss Newcastle winner Rebecca has gone on to enjoy a successful modelling career since her time on the show, working with brands such as Versace. But it's also been a challenging time for the former TV star who was left in agony after suffering a serious fracture to her shoulder following a fall in February last year.
Now back to full health, Rebecca said she is looking forward to following this year's Love Island series when the ITV2 show returns for its new run. However, unlike many viewers, the Geordie star knows the reality of what goes on behind the scenes.
In a message to those tuning in, she urged people not to judge the contestants too quickly as they only get to see a "snippet" of what happens each day.
"I think sometimes what people forget is that you are in the villa for weeks and you are recorded 24 hours a day," she said.
"People don't see [everything] that goes on within those 24 hours, they only see little snippets. [So] when people think they know you as a person I think people forget that, no, they only know you for the hour they see you on the show."
She continued: "From a viewer's point of view, you can look in and think,' Oh, my God, as if she's done that,' but they don't see the full 24 hours.
"I can't express that enough because when you are in a place for 24 hours every day for a long time it's a lot. It is amazing because you have the craziest conversations and you are learning about the people you are with, but I do think people need to remember they are only seeing a small snippet."
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