9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘I am the queen of being ghosted,' says Love Island's Dubliner Megan Forte Clarke
The Dubliner has been in a couple with English landscape gardener Tommy Bradley and, coincidentally, the pair share Italian heritage.
So far, their 'coupling' on the show has been smooth sailing, but it is still early days in the explosive dating series.
The reality dating show, where singles known as 'islanders' live together in a luxurious villa and must couple up to stay in the competition, is expected to run for approximately eight weeks.
Viewers vote on their favourite couples and the winning pair at the end can walk away with a cash prize.
Before entering the Spanish villa, Forte Clarke, from Finglas, shared exactly what she is looking for in a man.
'I tend to go for personality over looks, which has not done me very well in the past, but if I was to narrow down a type, I love a Timothee Chalamet-esque kind of vibe,' she said.
'I do love a ginger as well, but I think that's the Irish in me.'
Forte Clarke (24) now lives in Brighton in southern England, where she works as an energy broker.
She is also an aspiring actor, having trained as a musical theatre performer, and starred in panto.
With her Irish charm and quick wit, she has been talked up as the new Maura Higgins for this year's show.
Longford woman Maura gained fame in 2019 as a finalist on the fifth season of Love Island UK and has since carved out a successful career in television, modelling and presenting.
It looks as if a similar success could be on the cards for well-liked Forte Clarke.
When asked how that made her feel before she entered the Love Island villa, she said: 'Unreal! I'm like, yes, thank you. It's the biggest compliment ever, and a big boost.'
Discussing whether she is feisty and outspoken like Higgins, Forte Clarke said: 'Definitely. I am my mother's daughter in that way.
'I'm a fiery lady, but I think, first and foremost, the Irish side of having a laugh and stuff comes first. But if I do have a problem with someone, I'm not afraid to say it.'
Recalling her mum's reaction when she broke the news that she would be flying to the Spanish island, Forte Clarke said: 'She loves it. She loves Love Island, so she is buzzing with it.'
Forte Clarke also considers her lookalike mum, Alison, her best friend.
'She is so clued up on it which makes me feel better, because I'd rather her know what goes on than for her to be shocked, but she's delighted.'
Forte Clarke previously described herself as a modern-day Bridget Jones, to which she added: 'My dating life is hell and horror. I am the queen of being ghosted, so I feel in that sense I would compare myself to her. It just never seems to be going well for me.'
Reflecting on her decision to give Love Island a shot, she said: 'I've done the whole dating apps.
I'm just excited because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
'It's just a lot, the whole Hinge and Tinder [online dating process]. It's just awkward meeting up and it never goes well – for me anyway.
'I know some people find their husbands on Hinge, but I'm like, what Hinge are you using? I decided this was right for me, because you can't ghost me while I'm in the villa, because I'll be in the kitchen.'
Despite being catapulted to overnight fame, Megan insisted she has friends in the industry who have been a guiding hand. 'I'm friends with Harriett [Blackmore] from last season. We worked together in Brighton for two years, so she's prepared me, and she's told me what to pack and stuff.
'We actually went to the same university, but not at the same time, and we worked in [clothing store] Flannels together. I feel like that has been a big help having her.
'I'm just excited because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The Dubliner added she hoped her stage persona would work to her advantage on the hit show.
'I feel it puts me in a position where I'm used to meeting new people a lot, but in terms of confidence, I feel like I've been this way since I came out of the womb.
'It's a blessing and a curse – I'll yap to anyone.'
