The show has been plagued by criticism over the past few years over how much producers look after the mental health of its stars, following the tragic deaths of contestants Sophie Gradon, 32, and Mike Thalassitis, 26.
Now, Rachel Finni – who was booted out of the villa earlier this month – tells Closer that the team behind the ITV show have made the mental health and welfare of contestants a top priority.
“The mental health checks are amazing – you have a thorough assessment ahead of going in and 24-hour support in the villa with a therapist who you speak to every day,” she says.
“When I left, I had regular calls with a therapist to check I was OK. They ask if you’re sleeping, how you’re feeling – they couldn’t do any more.”
Rachel, 29, was dumped from the villa after failing to be chosen at the recoupling just days after she had saved Brad McLelland from being ditched – a move she admits she regrets.
While she didn’t find love and is gutted her time on the show was cut short, she says she is “on cloud nine” after the experience – and was pleasantly surprised by some aspects of villa life.
“You’re so looked after. The food was amazing – steamed fish and clams in white wine sauce,” she says.
“And you’d think in a room with that many people, you wouldn’t sleep well, but I can honestly say they were some of the best sleeps I’ve had.
“The beds are so comfy and the room is pitch black,” she says.
Check out: the most successful Love Island bombshells
The most SUCCESSFUL Love Island bombshells - slider
1 of 11Maura Higgins - Series 5
Irish babe Maura Higgins is one of our all-time favourite Islanders and number one bombshell of all time. Maura entered the villa on Day 10 and went on to leave in fourth place alongside ex Curtis Pritchard. Maura has since proven to be Love Island gold, she went on to take part in Dancing On Ice in early 2020, released a collab with Ego shoes, and landed a HUGE deal with lingerie brand Ann Summers.
2 of 11Kaz Crossley - Series 4
Kaz made a name for herself when she entered Casa Amor as a bombshell on Day 26 in 2018. After coupling up with Josh Denzel (remember that now ICONIC scene as Georgia Steele called Josh out for not being 'loyal'), she went all the way to the final. Kaz's relationship with Josh fizzled out and she went onto date Love Island alumni Theo Campbell. However, Kaz made a name for herself away from her love life, starting her own business Kazbands, using her platform to raise awareness of the benefits of kickboxing and hosts her own podcast Slide In With Snoochie, Kaz and Jordan.
3 of 11Greg O'Shea - Series 5
Greg is famously the most successful Love Island bombshell EVER as he was the last to enter the villa in 2019 and walked away the winner alongside Amber Gill. Despite his romance with Amber not lasting, the rugby player has enjoyed huge success since the show - more recently being called up to the Olympic games in Tokyo with the Ireland 7s rugby team. Pretty major, right?
4 of 11Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury - Series 5
We can't really believe 2018 golden couple Tommy are Molly were both bombshells either (who can forget that ICONIC Molly-Mae hot tub scene). Yep, even though Tommy was a bombshell on the first day, it still counts. The pair are still very much together and have enjoyed so much success since the show. Tommy now has a career as a boxer and Molly is the most followed Islander EVER with over five million Instagram followers. She's also brought out her own tan range, Filter, and has released clothing collections with PrettyLittleThing.
5 of 11Megan Barton-Hanson - Series 4
Megan was what we wish every single Love Island bombshell was like. She was super, confident and she sure stirred things up. She entered the villa on Day 8, famously stole Wes Nelson from Laura Anderson and made the final and came fourth place. However, Megan's work post-show has made her a feminist sensation. She's joined OnlyFans, had her own lingerie collection with Ann Summers, launched her own podcast You Come First and writes her own sex and love advice column for Vice.
6 of 11Demi Jones - Series 6
Demi entered the winter series of Love Island on day 16 but we all fell a little in love with her and she made the final with her now ex-boyfriend Luke Mabbott. Since the show, Demi has made a name for herself as an influencer, is a brand ambassador for Tattilashes and more recently, has been documenting her fight with Thyroid cancer. Go Demi!
7 of 11Ovie Soko - Series 5
Ah Ovie, is there an Islander we miss more? We don't think so. Like the rest in this list, Ovie arrived late to the villa and made it way all the way to the final. Looking back, many of us would have loved it if he won the show alongside his 'sister' Amber Gill, but you win some you lose some. Since the show basketball star Ovie has only got even more popular, he still plays for Great Britain Men's National Basketball Team and even landed his own BBC documentary Ovie: Life After Reality TV.
8 of 11Finley Tapp - Series 6
It's hard to remember Paige Turley's Love Island experience until her prince Finley Tapp walked in on day five. Finn arguably is the most successful bombshell, as he found a girlfriend AND won a share of 50k - what more could you want?
9 of 11Kady McDermott - Series 2
It seems like a long time ago, but Kady was one of the original bombshells, entering the villa on day three of season two. Kady found love in the villa and left with her now ex-boyfriend Scott Thomas but she's definitely made a name for herself ever since. Over the years Kady has started her own fitness brand Body Goals by Kady, enjoyed a stint on TOWIE and has released clothing collections with Missy Empire and AX Paris.
10 of 11Chris Hughes - Series 3
Chris entered series three on day four and set his sights on pretty much EVER female. He made it all the way to the final with Olivia Attwood and he's still as relevant as ever. After the show, Chris and Olivia's life was filmed for their very own reality show Chris and Olivia: Crackin' On (they split in the final episode), he released a song 'Little Bit Leave It' with fellow Islander Kem Cetinay, became a brand ambassador for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and released a book My Life Story: You Bantering Me. Chris now presents horse racing coverage on ITV.
11 of 11Zara McDermott - Series 4
Zara entered the villa as a bombshell alongside Ellie Brown two weeks in. She quickly coupled up with Adam Collard but she was dumped in a brutal twist ten days later. Despite a nasty split from Adam months after the show ended, Zara didn't let it come between her career and she went onto big things. She appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019, joined the cast of Made In Chelsea alongside her boyfriend Sam Thompson, signed to Storm models, released a BBC documentary about her experience being a victim of Revenge Porn and teamed up with Missguided for a fashion edit.
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“I woke up feeling so refreshed, but the morning lights they turn on are so bright that you feel like your eyes are burning! You’re not allowed to speak to anyone before lights up, so you lie there in silence – apart from Jake and Liberty, who snore.”
Rachel adds that she understands why “Jiberty” are favourites to win but is apprehensive about Casa Amor.
“Jake and Liberty are like the mum and dad of the villa. They’re made for each other – it’s really sweet. But I do worry that Jake could have his head turned by a newcomer and Liberty will be heartbroken.
“Liam and Millie are pure electric together – no cracks there. I love Teddy and Faye – they’re strong contenders, too.”