Latest news with #LoveIslandSeries12
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Love Island replacement star admits to racy sex session behind nightclub
EXCLUSIVE: Conor Phillips is the new boy entering the Love Island Series 12 villa in Mallorca, stepping in at the eleventh hour after the shock removal of original contestant Kyle Ashman Professional rugby player Conor Phillips is the new singleton entering the Love Island Series 12 villa in Mallorca, stepping in at the eleventh hour after the shock removal of original contestant Kyle Ashman. Kyle was axed from the line up over a previous arrest. The 23-year-old had been hoping to find love with someone who was "fun, confident and just themselves" on the show, fronted by Maya Jama. But just hours after he was announced, it emerged that he won't be appearing in the villa, just days before the show was due to start. In his place, Conor, 25‑year‑old Irishman, who plays wing and centre, is ready to bring fresh energy – and candid chat, which includes a racy story about a night behind the nightclub. In a chat with The Mirror, when asked about where is the most random place he has had sex, Conor quipped: 'Probably behind a nightclub. Nothing too crazy – I was young.' The twist came just days before launch when 23‑year‑old Kyle Ashman was axed following a police investigation into a machete incident. Although Kyle faced no charges and maintains his innocence, ITV pulled him from the show. Conor was swiftly drafted in. 'It's been a long process for everyone, really,' Conor reflects. 'It started around January or February. I've been over to the UK a couple of times, so I had a feeling it was coming. Now I'm here and it's the same as everyone else, really.' His entry adds to the drama of the new season, one already shaking up Love Island. ITV bosses have confirmed that this summer's series marks the return of uncensored Hideaway scenes. Executive producer Mike Spencer told The Mirror, 'If sex happens, we'll show it. The Hideaway will be open 24 hours'. Conor, stepping into potentially intimate territory, is refreshingly direct about family expectations. 'I haven't spoken to my family about [sex on screen] directly, but I've spoken to them about respecting myself and others... I'll just try to act respectfully – that's all I can really do,' he says. Speaking about signing up for the show, he said he wanted someone "who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic." The islander from Limerick added: "I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman." Asked what his biggest ick is, he adds: "Being too needy, or needing to do everything together. I like someone to be independent and do their own thing and then we come together and do our thing. Conor boasts an impressive rugby résumé: he played for Munster's academy, represented Ireland at under-18, under-19, under-20 levels, starred in the Ireland 7s team, and helped Young Munster win the 2022 Munster Senior Cup. Series 12 kicks off amid familiar drama and fresh new personalities. With the Hideaway back in action and intimate moments uncensored again, the show is embracing its bold reputation. For Conor, the stakes are high – both for romance and for the confession booth. A whole host of new singles, including Helena Ford who has connections to Justin Bieber and Zara McDermott, and Dejon Noel-Williams who has a famous footballer dad. All have been chosen to go into the villa to try and find love while also navigating the twists and turns of the show. The series will be filmed in its usual Majorcan villa but it has been given a spruce up since last year. Love Island returns Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Love Island star has unusual job working for famous footballer
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island's Harry Cooksley is one of the latest islander heading into the villa for the show's 12th series - and he's ready to shake things up both on and off the pitch Footballer and Declan Rice's body double Harry Cooksley is one of the latest bombshells heading into the Love Island villa for the show's 12th series - and he's ready to shake things up both on and off the pitch. The 30-year-old professional footballer is trading boots for swimming trunks this summer, swapping his time on the field - and behind the camera - for a shot at romance in the Majorcan villa. Cooksley, who once played in the US and across Europe, might be new to Love Island fans, but he's already brushed shoulders with some of England's biggest sporting names - quite literally. Speaking ahead of his Love Island debut, Cooksley revealed his unlikely connection to Arsenal and England star Declan Rice. 'Yeah, I spoke to Dec before I came out,' Harry said.. 'I'm sure he'll be fine - he's got the summer off now so he'll manage without me.' Why does Declan Rice need a body double? According to Harry, it's all about saving time for production crews. 'It's mainly for close-up shots when they don't have time with the actual players. So it's essentially my body on camera for those shots,' he explained. As for Rice's reaction to Harry's reality TV plans? 'He was happy for me. He just told me to be myself. He'll be supporting from the outside. He was excited.' Harry's appearance comes as Love Island Series 12 gets underway, with ITV promising more romance, drama, and late-night revelations than ever before. Viewers are already speculating who'll couple up, who'll be dumped — and who'll be sharing more than just a bed. With the show known for its steamy hideaway scenes, sex on TV remains one of the most hotly debated aspects of the series. When asked about the possibility of having sex on screen, Harry didn't dodge the question. 'I haven't spoken to my friends about it, but I did speak to my mum,' he said. 'She wasn't massively strict about it, but I'll try and be respectful. I'll keep her in mind - not in the moment - but in general.' Cooksley's thoughtful, self-aware approach might surprise those expecting the usual 'footballer bad boy' persona. But he insists he's not here to play games. 'I'd like to think I'm breaking that stereotype,' he said. 'I'm a bit older now. Sure, in my early 20s, I played the field a bit. Footballers do get a bad rap, and sometimes it's justified - but it doesn't apply to all of us. I've had my fun. Now I'm honest, I'm ready, and I want to find someone.' Whether or not he finds love under the Spanish sun, Harry's already proving to be one of the more intriguing contestants of the 2025 series - part pro athlete, part body double, and all in when it comes to romance. Love Island returns Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
