Love Island star Toby hoping for call-up from Irish national football team

Sunday World

6 hours ago

Love Islander Toby has designs on playing for Ireland while Catherine is game for Dancing with the Stars
Catherine Agbaje and Toby Aromolaran launch Virgin Media Play: Get Play,Your Way
Love Island star Toby Aromolaran is hoping for a call-up from not just a League of Ireland side but the Irish national football team.
The 26-year-old, who finished second on the hit TV show in 2021 when he reached the final alongside Chloe Burrows, is a footballer with semi-professional club Hashtag United, and its men's team plays in the Isthmian League Premier in the UK.
'If an Irish team gave me a trial in the Irish league, I would, why not? It would be a bit of fun,' Toby says.
'My mum (Victoria) is from Crossmolina in Co Mayo and I've got an Irish passport.
'I play as a forward with Hashtag United, both on the wings and as a striker.'
Toby is setting his footballing sights high.
'I don't see why Ireland don't call me up, why not? I'm just waiting for the manager to call,' he winks.
Finalists Toby and Chloe
Toby, who grew up in Essex and whose dad is from Nigeria, is a regular visitor to Ireland.
'I was in Mayo last year, the October half term. It was quite funny cos I got recognised a bit,' he explains.
'Mum's dad is from Wexford, then he moved to Mayo and my mum grew up in Mayo. I still have my cousins and aunt that live in Foxford. I've been going there since I was quite young, nearly every summer.'
Toby confirms he's 'young, free and single' right now.
'I wouldn't say no to going a date with an Irish girl,' he smiles.
But he draws the line at Maura Higgins.
'Yeah I am familiar with Maura. She's a nice girl, she's alright, not a bit of me though. There's nothing wrong with her but she's just not my type, we're just not compatible.
'The age gap wouldn't work — I'm not her type and she's not my type,' he insists.
The 24-year-old student and real estate agent from Blanchardstown was in season 10 of Love Island in 2023, entering on day one before being dumped on Day 38. Earlier this year Catherine also featured on Love Island All Stars.
During her time in the villa she bonded with Welsh goalkeeper Scott Van-Der-Sluis.
'He played for Shelbourne, he's a goalkeeper,' says Catherine, who now lives in London.
'We talked a lot about Dublin, I think that was what we bonded about, that he lived in Dublin and trained here. He only lived 10 minutes away from where I lived in Blanchardstown, so we did talk about Dublin a lot.'
Catherine is also currently single and has a couple of celebrity crushes.
'Looks wise, I like Michael B Jordan, but personality wise I love the streamer called Kai (Cenat), he's the biggest streamer.
'He's so funny. I'd love someone I could just sit down with and laugh for hours,' she says.
Toby also has his own personal favourites.
'[American singers] Madison Beer and SZA,' he raves when asked about his dream date.
Both stars giggle when asked about the possibility of them dating each other some time, given they live close to each other in the London area.
'We're going on holidays after this, maybe Miami, we haven't decided yet,' jokes Toby.
Catherine is enjoying travelling and has a number of projects on the go.
Catherine Agbaje and Toby Aromolaran launch Virgin Media Play: Get Play,Your Way
News in 90 Seconds - 09 June 2025
She would like to follow in the footsteps of fellow Dublin Islander Yewande Bialado and take part in Dancing With The Stars.
'I'd love to do it. I'd be open to it, as it would be a challenge, like Yewande did,' she said.
'I didn't know Yewande beforehand. I think we have some mutual friends, but I didn't know here personally. I watched the show.'
Catherine and Toby have their own bits of advice for the new batch going into the 12th series of Love Island tomorrow..
'My tip is be yourself, go for what you want, stand your ground,' she says.
Toby adds: 'Just enjoy the process and let yourself enjoy the experience, because there's only limited time you're going to be in that village, so enjoy it while it lasts — connect to people, just let go, don't be uptight.'