LOVE Island bombshell Tom Clare has been given permission to do the show from his football club.
The striker, 23, currently plays for Macclesfield FC and was their top goal scorer last season – but he has decided to quit and might be heading to the villa any day now.
Tom Clare will be taking a break from football
Tom plays for Macclesfield FC
For the first time ever, viewers have the chance to vote for the first bombshell to go in and it’s between Tom or stunning law firm administrator Ellie Spence, 25,
Despite the fact he might not get chosen, Tom’s team are incredibly supportive, and insist the door is open for his return thanks to his “loyalty” to the team.
A Macclesfield FC statement read: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that the club have granted Tom Clare an extended period of leave in order to appear in this year’s Love Island competition.
“Tom approached us with the request a number of weeks ago and we were happy to show the same loyalty that he has to us since becoming one of our first-ever signings back in 2021.
“Despite the fact that we are disappointed to lose a player of Tom’s calibre for the foreseeable future, we also recognise the incredible opportunity that this represents for both him and his family on a personal level.
“Tom remains very much part of our plans here at the Leasing.com Stadium and has expressed his unwavering desire to return to the club after the show.
“We wish Tom every success and look forward to welcoming him back to the club in due course.”
Speaking ahead of his potential entrance, Tom said: “I’m a good laugh, a good vibe. I’m not snakey, I don’t like that kind of stuff. If I’ve got an issue with someone I’ll speak to them.
“Since my ex-girlfriend, no-one’s really come to me and I’ve thought, ‘Wow’.
“Until I have that, I’m not really going to settle for less. Not in a bad way, but the next person I get with, I want to marry.”
ITV have already revealed ten stars who will be this year’s originals in only the second-ever winter edition of the show.
The new Islanders are set to enter the Love Island villa in South Africa on January 16 as new host Maya Jama takes over from Laura Whitmore, who announced she was stepping down in August.
The new series is the show’s first winter series since before the coronavirus pandemic.
Viewers will pick between Tom or Ellie to enter the villa
