Love Island stars Harry Cooksley and Ben Holbrough look unrecognisable in unveiled hair transplant videos prior to their time in the villa

Daily Mail​

5 hours ago

It's no secret that Love Island contestants often undergo the odd tweakment before arriving in the villa on the look out for love.
And two of this year's male contestants underwent hair transplants prior to their time on the hit ITV dating show.
Looking unrecognisable in throwback pictures, Harry Cooksley jetted to Turkey back in 2018 when he was just 23-years-old to undergo the procedure.
Visiting the Estepera Hair Clinic, Harry's treatment was documented in a video on their YouTube as he was seen having his hairline marked up for the treatment, before his hair was shaved ahead of the transplant.
Speaking to the camera Harry explained: 'The process was pretty much pain free. The surgeons were brilliant and I am absolutely delighted with the outcome.'
And nearly seven years on the results have certainly paid off with Harry now sporting a full mullet on the ITV show.
Yet he isn't the only male contestant to have undergone the procedure.
Ben Holbrough also had a hair transplant at 360 Hair Clinic around a year and a half ago.
Sharing a hair update video taken six months after his initial surgery Ben shared clips of his hair growing in as he confessed it was about 80% there half a year after the surgery.
As well as the hair transplant, Ben also uses the clinics Optimum Hair products to maintain his hair's thickness, strength and natural-looking results.
Supporting him on his Love Island journey the clinic penned: 'We're so proud to have been part of his journey and can't wait to watch him shine (with great hair, of course) on national TV.
'Best of luck, Ben! You've already got the crown for best hair in the villa'.
Last year Love Island star Ronnie Vint opened up the conversation on men's hairlines after it was revealed he used Toppik to alter his hairline.
Viewers at home had been left baffled by Ronnie's barnet after they realised it looked different in the daytime than it does when he's spotted in bed on the night vision cameras.
Harry Cooksley jetted to Turkey back in 2018 when he was just 23-years-old to undergo the procedure (pictured L)
Sharing a hair update video taken six months after his initial surgery (pictured L) Ben shared clips of his hair growing in as he confessed it was about 80% there half a year after the surgery
During his time on All Stars back in January, fans expressed their confusion on X, writing: 'After watching Ronnie Vint in 2 seasons of Love Island I still can't work out what's going on with his hairline. Absolute mystery #LoveIsland.'
'What's wrong with Ronnie hair! The wind is blowing up the hair at the back, but not a single hair is moving at the front! Did he glue his front hairline?! #LoveIsland.'
'So is Ronnie wearing a frontal? because at night we see the missing hairline #LoveIslandAllStars.'
However, Ronnie actually addressed his hair situation after his first stint in the villa in summer 2024, joking that his hairline has become 'more famous than he is'.
He took to TikTok to explain his hair journey and what he uses to make his hairline appear fuller.
Speaking to the camera in a video which was posted in November, Ronnie held up a bottle of hair fibers and told fans: 'That in there is my hair. How mad is that?'
'Everybody since coming out of the villa has been asking me what I use on my hair, and I use Toppik - the best hair fibers there is.
'So I'm going to show you what I use, how I use it, and get a proper hairline again. Becasue they're made of keratin, it attaches to your hair for a much fuller and thicker look.'
He continued: 'It's really easy to use. I literally just take off the top and I just screw on the applicator like that then give it a shake and add into my hair.'
The reality star then demonstrated how he adds the product into his hair, giving fans a glimpse of the before and after results.'
Ronnie explained that his barber introduced him to the product and since then he's 'never looked back'.
He admitted: 'The boost of confidence it's given me over the years, it's gone a long way.'
At the time, the footballer received a lot of praise for being open about his haircare journey.
Viewers wrote in the comments: 'It's so nice to see him comfortable talking about this! i hope this encourages more men to not feel anxious about their hairlines.'
'Well done for being so open and honest.'
'Good one mate if it gives you confidence you do it, looking slick brother.'
'You're so good for sharing that! women share their extensions all the time so it's good to see a man doing the same kind of thing and helping others out.'
'I think it's great that you have been so honest about your hair line. I'm sure you will help lots of men and women with this post!!'
Dejon Noel Williams
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice.
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
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AGE: 22
FROM: Hertfordshire
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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though.
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NAME: Alima Gagio
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number.
But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway.
NAME: Ben Holbrough
AGE: 23
FROM: Gloucester
OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here.
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
NAME: Megan Forte Clarke
AGE: 24
FROM: Dublin
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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus.
I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really.
CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto.
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring.
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
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AGE: 23
FROM: Limerick
OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!
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AGE: 24
FROM: Connecticut
OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server
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I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.
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AGE: 25
FROM: Bristol
OCCUPATION: Scaffolder
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AGE: 24
FROM: Essex
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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A bubbly, confident, ambitious and fun girl. One feature that stands out to me is a nice smile, nice teeth and someone that can keep me on my toes.
IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of flirting. Sometimes it's just unintentional.
NAME: Malisha Jordan
AGE: 24
FROM: Broxbourne
OCCUPATION: Teaching Assistant
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall, dark, handsome man. He has to be very tall. I'm 5ft7/ 5ft8. I want to be able to wear heels and feel feminine. He has to be funny, but not too funny; I have to be the funniest. I want someone that's caring and a bit loving, but then I like someone that can give me a bit of rude banter. I like to be a bit cheeky.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? I have two; bad hygiene and snoring. I'm such an angelic sleeper.
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AGE: 24
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive
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WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that's stingy.
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AGE: 24
FROM: Aberdare
OCCUPATION: Insurance Development Executive
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WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? Bad manners, being rude, not saying please and thank you. I'd rather someone be overly polite than not say it at all.
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AGE: 22
OCCUPATION: US college soccer player and student
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Personality is a big thing, so it depends who I vibe with in there.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? I don't like it when girls have celebrity crushes. If I'm with a girl I want them to have eyes for me, not talking about another guy when we're watching a film, ha!