Love Island's Maura Higgins lookalike Megan Clarke reveals what she REALLY thinks about being compared to show icon ahead of new series
Love Island hopeful Megan Clarke has revealed how she really feels about being compared to show icon Maura Higgins ahead of the upcoming series.
The 24-year-old musical theatre student, who will be entering the villa this year, says she's flattered by the comparison to the Irish beauty, 34.
In a new interview with The Sun, Megan said: 'I love Maura - what a compliment. She's an icon.
'She is like the Queen of Ireland. So if people are comparing me to her, then cheers, love that, thank you.'
Dublin-born Megan, who joins the villa on Monday, has already drawn comparisons to Maura thanks to her Irish accent and glamorous brunette looks.
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She also expressed sympathy for Maura, who shot to fame on Love Island six years ago, following the reality star's infamous 'drunken kiss' with married McFly guitarist Danny Jones at a BRIT Awards afterparty earlier this year.
Megan simply said: 'We've all had a drunken kiss.'
Describing herself as a 'modern-day Bridget Jones,' Megan revealed she's been single for nearly three years following a rocky relationship with her university boyfriend, who she says cheated on her multiple times.
The pair were 'on and off' during her first year at university, but Megan says their relationship didn't end on good terms.
When asked about their relationship she revealed he cheated on her 'quite a bit' and other girls were 'none the wiser'.
She also shared how her ex-boyfriend is now blocked and she hasn't spoken to him since they split.
Opening up about her dating life, Megan described the last two years as 'hell and horror' claiming many men don't put in the effort these days and that there are 'so many frogs' around.
However, it seems the boys in the villa might be in luck as Megan admitted she's stocked up on bikinis and sexy outfits for the Hideaway – the villa's private spot for couples to spend some alone time.
That said, her mum has given her strict instructions to keep things PG, and Megan insists she plans to follow through.
Currently working in telesales, Megan said she hasn't had any office romances but admits she enjoys 'a little flirt here and there' to keep work life fun – though she added nothing serious has ever come of it.
Love Island confirmed the full line-up of contestants joining the upcoming series earlier this week.
The ITV2 dating show returns on June 9 and there looks set to be the usual mix of love triangles, bedroom trysts and messy breakups as contestants make their way to the island.
This year's crop of hopefuls include a Declan Rice body double, fire breather and Maura Higgins lookalike and Maya will once again be at the helm after joining the popular dating series in January 2023.
This year, the show celebrates a decade on screens and promises to have 'more twists and turns than ever before' in honour of their 10-year anniversary.
The series, which has been streamed over two billion times on ITVX, has seen over 300 Islanders pass through the villa doors over the years, including the likes of Olivia Attwood, Dani Dyer, Chris Hughes, and Molly-Mae Hague.
Earlier this week, a Love Island producer also revealed that this year's contestants could come face to face with their ex-partners in the villa.
Speaking to The Sun, ITV's Mike Spencer-Hayter said: 'Do you know what I always say, the cast get released and then the ex's come forward. And that's how you get the bombshells.
'They will have to go through the process, but we have already a pool of really really good bombshells lined up. There's some people in that mix that are really under the radar as well.
'The casting team have been working for quite a while now. Gone to lots of different events and been out and about looking for people and I think they've done a brilliant job. We always have those killer bombshells to come in.'
It comes after Mike revealed to the Mail that the first week of the new season will see 'something big' as they 'tear up the rule book' to liven up the hit show.
Last year the show had a shock entry when TOWIE favourite Joey Essex, 34, entered the villa, to very mixed results from fans.
When asked if they will be getting another former reality TV star or celebrity in as a contestant this year, Mike said something else will be a surprise.
'No former Love Islanders are coming in this year,' he said. 'Something big is coming in week one though. Not another reality star like Joey Essex.
'We've got a big week one planned. It's not a celebrity, but totally new. It's even different this year the way islanders will couple up.
'You can't rest on people loving the show, we have to keep it exciting. Tear up the rule book a bit.'
Love Island is set to air on June 9 over on ITV2 and ITVX.
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