Love Island taxi driver Ben Holbrough's secret past link to show
EXCLUSIVE: Ben Holbrough is one of the singletons entering the Love Island villa on Monday, June 9, 2025 and the private hire driver has a secret past with the show
Love Island 2025 is set to sizzle with a fresh batch of singletons entering the villa on Monday, June 9 for its 12th series. Among them is 23-year-old Ben Holbrough from Gloucester, a private hire taxi driver and part-time model who's no stranger to the show's casting process, he reveals.
Standing at 6'2 with a chiseled physique, Ben has been modelling for the past six years, while juggling his taxi driving job, he is often showcasing his workouts and modelling shots to his 11,000 Instagram followers.
But his journey to the villa wasn't straightforward as he opens up about his involvement with the show in the past.
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"Last year I went to London for the interview," Ben revealed to us. "Before that, I was in talks with them for a couple of years, but it never got further than a few Zoom calls in the application phase… at school, it's funny, all the teachers used to say to me, 'I see you on Love Island in a few years.'"
Ben's decision to join the show stems from his frustration with modern dating."Dating in 2025, for me, is a shambles. It is mission impossible," he admitted. "Being in the Love Island villa, no one can fake their feelings in there.'
'Everything's intense. It's hard for people not to be true to themselves. I feel you get a better judge of character in there. It's easier to find 'the one' when you're all in the same situation. In the outside world, social media, everything, gets in the way. It's so easy to go on, 'like' a few pictures. Finding a solid girl is hard."
Preparing for villa life, Ben has been hitting the gym hard."I've definitely been upping it at the gym. I've been going and doing double sessions, weights in the morning, and cardio in the evenings, trying to get those abs a bit more popping," he shared.
"But I don't really see competition with the other lads. I've worked hard for the physique I've got, so I'm not comparing myself… I [also] haven't spoken to no girls for about two-and-a-half months. I am buzzing to get in there and talk to girls again."
This season introduces a new rule regarding sexual activity in the villa where it will be shown, with Executive producer Mike Spencer confirming the sizzling shake-up after an exclusive tour of the villa: 'If sex happens, we'll show it. The Hideaway will be open 24 hours.'
When asked about this, Ben responded candidly: "I can't promise anything. I've told them this. I'll try my best to keep it PG. But I can't say now what I'm going to be feeling like when I'm in the villa.'
'I don't know what the circumstances are going to be. I don't know who I'm going to be coupled up with. Sharing a bed every day with a girl, the temptation, I can only imagine, is going to be real. Never say never."
Ben joins a diverse lineup of contestants this season, including footballer Harry Cooksley, Dublin native Megan Forte Clarke, and motivational speaker Sophie Lee.
With his blend of charm, honesty, and readiness to find genuine connection, Ben is poised to make a significant impact in the villa.
Love Island returns Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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