3 days ago
Love Island's Dejon Noel-Williams has priceless response to being called a nepo-baby because of his football legend dad
Love Island's Dejon Noel-Williams has a priceless response to being called a nepo baby because of his football legend dad.
The personal trainer and semi-professional footballer, 26, from London, is one of the singletons ready to find The One on the upcoming series of the ITV2 dating show.
Dejon currently plays for Bedford Town, having previously played for Oxford United, Wealdstone and the Grenada national team.
But he already had connections in the sporting world from his father Gifton Noel-Williams, 45, who has played for Stoke City, Watford and Burnley.
Ahead of the first episode of the reality programme hitting our screens on Monday, he reacted to being called a nepo baby because of his starry family.
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He said: 'I'm sorry, what's a nepo baby?'
Dejon added while laughing: 'This is the first time I've ever heard of nepo baby, and this is no joke. I've never heard it before.
'The first time I've been called a nepo baby. I don't know how to react!'
He has previously said: '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.'
Dejon's dad Gifton, a former Premier League striker, began his professional football career in 1996 and last played for Codicote in 2017 before retiring.
During his time at Watford from 1996 to 2003, he was teammates with none other than Micah Hyde - the father of 2023 Love Island star Tyrique Hyde.
Gifton and Micah looked to have been good friends, with their sons Dejon and Tyrique being the same age.
And according to The Sun, Dejon is pals with Tyrique, who made it all the way to the final on Love Island two years ago with then-girlfriend Ella Thomas.
The two boys both followed in their fathers' footsteps by becoming footballers themselves.
And in his role as a personal trainer, Dejon also counts Tyrique as one of his clients, with the duo often sharing videos of them working out at the gym together.
Asked what he was looking for in a girl in the villa, Dejon said he wanted someone who 'is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy'.
Tyrique shot to fame on the 2023 series with his romance with Ella being heavily tested with some dramatic ups and downs.
They exited the villa together, but shortly after announced they'd split in November 2023, before trying to give it another go.
But, in February 2024, MailOnline exclusively revealed Ella and Tyrique had parted ways permanently - after six months as a couple.
Meanwhile, Dejon is not the only footballing connection in the upcoming series of Love Island, as fans of the lower leagues may have spotted a star dubbed 'The Surrey Zidane' (pictured)
Harry Cooksley (pictured), 29, is a midfielder for Southern League Premier South side Farnham Town, while also working as a gold trader and model
A source told MailOnline: 'Ella and Tyrique have decided it's time to go their separate ways.
'They have such love for each other, but they often struggle to get along and as viewers saw in the villa, they're always arguing.'
Meanwhile, Dejon is not the only footballing connection in the upcoming series of Love Island, as fans of the lower leagues may have spotted a star dubbed 'The Surrey Zidane'.
Harry Cooksley, 29, is a midfielder for Southern League Premier South side Farnham Town, while also working as a gold trader and model.
But more interestingly, his pastimes include being a body double for Arsenal and England star Declan Rice.
Harry revealed: '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.'
Love Island will be available to watch on ITV2 and to stream on ITVX from June 9.
