Love Island’s Brad McClelland says he’s lived with his nan since age 12 and is estranged from dad who left him as a baby

LOVE Island favourite Brad McClelland still lives with his nan after not having seen his dad since he was a baby.

The hunky 26-year-old labourer, who is set to make his ITV2 debut tonight is betting on his dad recognising him on the show, but it won’t “make any difference” to him.


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Love Island’s Brad McClelland

Brad opened up about living with his 76-year-old nana Joyce since he was four years old along with his mum and then how his grandmother took over looking after him at age 12.

“I’ve lived with my nan since I was four years old, the reason I’m still living with her now is because she gave up a lot of her time to look after me when she didn’t need to, when I was young and vulnerable,” Brad told Metro.co.uk.

“Now she’s older and vulnerable, it’s my turn to give that care back. All the years that she put in with me when I was young are the years that I’m giving back with me looking after her.”

He added: “It’s not to say that I’m gonna live with her until she unfortunately passes away, but she’s a priority to me.”



The 26-year-old labourer has lived with his nana since he was a kid

Brad also spoke about being sure his dad will recognise him on the telly, but is not too fussed about whether he reaches out to make contact.

“I think he will recognise us,” Brad explained.

“[But] it’s a case of I’ve lived 26 years of my life without him doing alright, not needing him.



He said he still lives with her because it’s ‘his turn to give back’ to his grandmother

“If he wants to get in touch, he gets in touch. If he doesn’t, then it doesn’t make any difference to me.”

Brad is one of the favourites for the hotly anticipated return of the reality dating series, but it’s unlikely his nana Joyce will be watching.

He revealed the show isn’t her kind of thing, and she’d prefer to watch Coronation Street instead.

Speaking to The Celeb Report and other press ahead of launch Brad said: “My nana is very down to earth. She is very real. She knows that sort of stuff happens,” he explained.



Brad also revealed she’s not too keen on Love Island, but loves all things soaps

“She is not blind to that side of things. I don’t know if she’ll even watch it. She will watch the show at the start.

“But Emmerdale, Coronation Street, EastEnders… that is her sort of thing.”

“Obviously a big reason for her to watch this is because her grandson is in it.

“So if she is watching I am sure she’ll be fine whatever I do. I am sure she will still stand by us.”



The Love Island favourite has not seen his dad since he was a baby but is sure his father will see him on the show

Brad’s nana will be turning 77 in July, and he admits that he’s tried explaining the concept of Love Island to her – but she’s having none of it.

He said: “She is one of them people… her age comes into it…or it is more her personality.

“If you try and explain something that she’s never seen she can’t.. you can’t compare Love Island to Emmerdale or something like that.



But Brad is not fussed either way if his dad tries to make contact with him

“It has no comparison. I’ve tried telling her bits and bobs. She thought I was going there by myself – at first.

“She was like: ‘Are you going to be by yourself for eight weeks?’

“I was like: ‘No there are going to be lots of people.’ She was asking me: ‘Are your friends going with you?’

“I said ‘no but there is going to be an opportunity to make friends.’ So I think for her, the first few episodes will be where she watches.”

Love Island starts tonight at 9pm.


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