IT’S a tale as old as time – reality star meets footballer and transforms into glamourous WAG living the high life.
And no show proves the trend more than Love Island, with a host of former stars shacking up with their sporty beaus over the years.
The latest former contestant to jump on the footie bandwagon is Maura Higgins, 31, who has quietly been dating MK Dons star Conor Wickham for weeks.
The pair have now even jetting off on holiday, but just what is it about footballers and Islanders that seems to make it a winning combination?
TV psychologist Emma Kenny reckons the pairings work for the same reason Victoria and David Beckham do – an understanding of the famous lifestyle.
She said: “The reason that Love Islanders and footballers are drawn together is basically the same as why Victoria and David Beckham had that initial attraction.
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“They understand the demands of a public life and the pressures that brings with it.
“Relationships for celebrities only work in two forms: either their partner is in the limelight too or they have no interest in ever being famous.
“For the Islanders, the transition to being famous is a rapid one but it means they know what it is like to have people interested in your every move – especially as the show broadcasts it on an intense level for weeks.
“Plus, a lot of the Islanders are able to work for themselves effectively, meaning they can adapt to their partners’ schedules. This is almost impossible if you work a nine to five and date a footballer.
“If their relationship stands the test of time, it is down to other factors, but the initial attraction is all about having similar experiences.”
Here, we take a look at the Love Islanders who have dated a player of the beautiful game.
Olivia Attwood and Bradley Dack
Olivia, 31, rose to fame for her hotheaded rows with then-partner Chris Hughes, 29, during the 2017 series of Love Island.
Prior to joining the show, she enjoyed a romance with Blackburn Rovers player Bradley, 28, but it didn’t work out.
But when she left the villa things fell back into place for the pair and love blossomed.
In 2019 Bradley finally popped the question with a large pear-shaped diamond ring while on a romantic trip to Dubai and through tears Olivia accepted.
Writing about their romance online, she said: “I never dreamed I would find a love like this.
“How content I feel in life right now is actually such an alien feeling, but I never want it to end. All thanks to you.”
The wedding has been delayed due to lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic, but Olivia has taken it in her stride, saying she has appreciated the extra time to plan it.
Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen
Dani, 25, hasn’t been luckiest in love since leaving the villa – with the father of her child, Sammy Kimmence, going to jail for fraud.
But she’s hoping things have changed now she is dating West Ham star Jarrod, also 25.
The pair got together last year and the England international is reportedly already planning to propose to the daughter of Danny Dyer this summer.
Jarrod has picked out a sparkler worth £10,000 and already asked his future father-in-law for permission to get down on one knee.
Dani confirmed their blossoming relationship exclusively to The Celeb Report but claims tot Santiago will always be her main priority.
She said: “Everything is so early days. Jarrod is a lovely guy and we’re enjoying getting to know each other.
“But Santi will always be my main priority, he will always come first. I am concentrating on being a mum and, beyond that, whatever happens, happens.”
Thankfully her West Ham-supporting father is a huge fan of her latest beau, proclaiming on Sorted with the Dyers: “It’s interesting I’m probably more in love with your boyfriend than you are.”
He went on to joke: “West Ham are my one true love. I think I love West Ham more than anything else on this planet.”
Lucinda Strafford and Aaron Connolly
Following in the footsteps of Olivia, when she struggled to find love in the villa, Lucinda, 22, returned to old flame Aaron, also 22.
The £1million-a-year Brighton player was said to have been devastated when she chose to go on the ITV2 show.
The pair had dated for two years before splitting and then got back together after her island stint last year.
They announced their reunion to the world with a snap of them dressed up as a Playboy bunny and Hugh Hefner for Halloween.
But things didn’t end up going smoothly and the couple split again in April.
A source said: “Everyone thought Lucinda and Aaron would make a real go of things this time round.
“Aaron was pretty cut up when she decided to do Love Island but they moved on from it and seemed stronger than ever.
“In the end, they just couldn’t make it work and have decided it would be better for both of them if they remained single.”
The pair had cops called on them shortly before the split due to a heated row when she confronted him with cheating suspicions following a night out boozing.
Joanna Chimonides and Ben Chilwell
Joanna, 25, was ahead of the curve when it came to dating, having bagged herself a footballer before appearing on the show.
She had been seeing England player Ben, 25, for around a year before they split.
The pair were often snapped together enjoying romantic nights out together before she went on Love Island in 2019.
Ben was said to be furious at her decision to appear on the show, despite the fact he ended their relationship as he wanted to be single.
At the time a source said: “Ben has been left furious by her going on the show even though he dumped her at the end of last summer because he wanted to be single.
“They had stayed good friends until a month ago when she told him she was going on Love Island. She thought Ben was partying too much and he thought she was the right person at the wrong time.
“Joanna had been approached by Love Island bosses when she was still with Ben and turned it down.”
Unlike other pre-villa relationships, they haven’t rekindled their spark and are both currently single.
Amber Gill and Jack Grealish
Former Love Island winner Amber, 24, was linked to Jack, 26, a few months ago while he was said to be seeing on/off girlfriend Sasha Attwood and Emily Atack.
Last year, a source explained: “Amber has been in contact with Jack for a while after they first got in touch online, and since then they’ve met up several times over the past few months at hotels, including one in Leeds.
“She was clearly quite excited about it, she told her friends, but after the news about Jack and Emily came out recently the whole thing feels a lot less glamorous.
“It was never a proper relationship, just a good time and some dates together, but now it feels as though he may have been in contact with a number of girls at once and that’s very disappointing for her. She really liked him.”
Both parties have denied the claims, with Amber stressing on her social media that she has never been the “other woman”.
She also revealed she had been sent death threats over being linked to the Manchester City ace.
Alex Iwobi and Clarisse Juliette
Stunning Clarisse, 24, was with Everton star Alex Iwobi for four years before they split in 2017.
During their relationship, the winger played for Arsenal before moving to the Toffees in 2019.
Clarisse, meanwhile, made her own career move last year as she popped up on Love Island.
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Unfortunately, she wasn’t lucky in love – only managing three days on the show as part of the Casa Amor shake-up.
Despite both failing to find new partners, they haven’t rekindled their romance like Olivia and Bradley.
