Dr Alex: ‘If I can make a positive impact that saves even one life, it will be worth moving mountains for’
When he shot to fame as the first-ever doctor to appear on Love Island in 2018, Alex George won the nation’s heart. And despite gaining millions of fans and being offered countless showbiz gigs, Alex, 30, returned to his job as an A&E doctor six months later.
He has worked on the frontline since the beginning of the pandemic and spoken honestly about the grim realities. He told Closer, “I’ve been dealing with patients suffering with COVID-19 and it’s been traumatic, especially seeing people die. I’ve come home and cried after a harrowing shift.”
More recently, he’s described how working through the current lockdown has been tougher than ever, adding, “This time around, everyone is really tired and fatigued. I’d say morale is still OK, but some nurses and doctors are spending a lot of time in blue resuscitation areas. We’re seeing a lot more COVID cases and it’s hard on them.”
Last week, Alex was appointed Youth Mental Health Ambassador following the tragic death of his brother Llˆyr to suicide last July. Alex revealed he’d spoken to Boris Johnson and said, “I will be working closely with the Government to make mental health an absolute priority. Never has mental health been more important than now. From schools to universities, the NHS and the wider public, mental health matters. For the current as well as future generations, we must do everything in our power to bring meaningful change.
“Nothing will bring my brother back, but if I can make a positive impact that saves even one life, it will be worth moving mountains for.”
And he’s made it clear he’s swapping reality TV for the NHS. He said, “I don’t regret Love Island at all. I made some amazing friends and I’m grateful the show gave me a social media platform to do what I’m doing now, and I hope to inspire people. But I think we’ve become a bit obsessed with reality stars and celebrities for the wrong reasons, and once the pandemic is over, people will reassess their priorities.”
Emily MacDonagh: ‘I need to protect my patients and colleagues’
She’s been working on the frontline as a junior doctor since the start of the pandemic, and Dr Emily MacDonagh has shared her experiences with fans, encouraging them to sign up for the vaccine. Emily, whose husband Peter Andre referred to as his “absolute hero” during the first lockdown for working long hours at a hospital in Surrey, received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine last month and filmed the experience for her and Pete’s YouTube channel.
“I feel great after having my coronavirus vaccine. It felt like a big moment, and I feel very proud and grateful to have received it,” the 31-year-old said. She added, “For me, it was important to get vaccinated as I want to protect my patients and colleagues as much as possible.”
The mum of two shared a photo of her receiving the vaccine, and reflected on the “amazing work of thousands of people who have come together to make the vaccine programme a success.” Her pal Dr Alex George commented on the post with a clap emoji.
And Emily – who tested positive for COVID last June, while Pete tested positive last month – set up her first Instagram account in October to offer her medical expertise. She is also supporting a campaign to encourage people to sign up as steward volunteers at NHS vaccination hubs across the UK.
Bobby Norris: ‘Once I was better from COVID, I wanted to do whatever I could’
Some of his TOWIE co-stars may be jetting off around the world, but Bobby Norris is putting his time to good use in the UK. Last week, Bobby, 34, became a trained COVID-19 Volunteer Vaccinator.
He said, “This pandemic has affected us all in one way or another and after contracting the virus myself over Christmas and finding out first-hand just how awful it really is, I decided that once I was better, I wanted to do whatever I could to help others. I’m really looking forward to getting out there and doing my part in supporting the NHS in the roll out of the vaccine.”
Rebecca Loos: ‘Life will change when everyone has had the vaccine’
After moving to Norway in the wake of her alleged affair with David Beckham in 2004, Rebecca Loos, 43, swapped showbiz for yoga. Now, the mum-of-two, who is married to Norwegian doctor Sven Christjar Skaiaa, has made another career change to become a COVID-19 tester. She revealed, “I used to leave the house at 9pm and come home at 6am. Now I’m in bed by 9pm and up at 6am. My life has literally turned around.”
Taking to Instagram in PPE, the former glamour model said she’s now “testing staff & residents at a care home.” She added, “How life will change when everyone has had a vaccine. Especially for all those in care homes locked away from their families.”
Check out: All the Love Island contestants who have bagged themselves a degree 🎓
The Love Island contestants who have bagged themselves a degree - slider
![Shaughna Phillips](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/72fe/e176/d06a/9d1f/e9b4/love-island-shaughna-phillips.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Shaughna Phillips
Shaughna Phillips entered the villa during the first ever Love Island winter version in South Africa. However before going on the show she was a democratic services officer and according to The Face she got a Journalism degree at London South Bank University. Shaughna has since released a collection with In The Style and regularly posts ads on Instagram.
![Dr Alex George](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/730b/1c02/4c6a/85e8/b17d/love-island-dr-alex-muggy-alexandra.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Dr Alex George
The most obvious Islander to have a degree is Dr Alex George. Before heading into the villa he was an A&E doctor who worked at the University Hospital Lewisham in South East London. A few months after just missing out on the final, Dr Alex decided to return to his job. Fast forward a couple of years and Boris Johnson has appointed him as a Mental Health Ambassador.
![Yewande Biala](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/74fa/9e78/dfdb/65b1/1d70/love-island-yewande-biala.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Yewande Biala
Irish beauty Yewande Biala shocked us all when she revealed she went to university at 16 - clever! She got a first in her Biotechnology undergraduate degree and then completed her Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulation masters degree. She's since become a full-time influencer and YouTuber but has hinted that she would return to her job before finding fame.
![Camilla Thurlow](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/734c/e176/d06a/971f/e9b5/camilla-thurlow-love-island-tips.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Camilla Thurlow
One of the sweetest contestants to ever go on Love Island is Camilla Thurlow and she also got a Sport and Exercise Science degree in Loughborough University before going into the villa. Since leaving the show Camilla has starred in her own documentary that saw her return to her humanitarian work, she's released her own book and had a baby.
![Anna Vakili](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/73d5/e176/d0f7/051f/e9c5/love-island-anna-vakili.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Anna Vakili
Months after leaving the villa, Anna Vakili revealed that she'd had earned so much money from the show that her mum was able to quit her job. However before heading onto Love Island, Anna got herself a Pharmacy degree at Kingston University and went on to work as a pharmacist.
![Michael Griffiths](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/740a/9e78/df4c/60b1/1d66/love-island-michael-griffiths.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Michael Griffiths
He didn't have the best "image" following his time on Love Island. Remember when he savagely dumped Amber Gill and then when Joanna Chimonides left the villa, he tried to win Amber back? Anyway, before going onto Love Island in 2019, Michael bagged himself a Biomedical Science degree before becoming a firefighter.
![Leanne Amaning](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/74b3/a71b/7995/c44a/ef4c/leanne-amaning.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Leanne Amaning
She didn't have much luck in the villa but before going onto Love Island 2020, Leanne got a Psychology degree at the University of Nottingham and a first in a masters degree. Although she's since become an influencer she has hinted that she'd like to use her qualifications. Stay tuned.
![Ollie Williams](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/750c/e176/d0ca/011f/e9d8/love-island-ollie-williams.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Ollie Williams
He was only in the villa for three days before realising that he was 'in love' with his ex-girlfriend and quitting the show. Outside of the villa, Ollie got a Criminology degree at Royal Holloway University in London.
![Wes Nelson](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/77a7/e176/d008/191f/ea05/love-island-wes-nelson.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Wes Nelson
Before going onto the ITV2 show, Wes was an electrical and nuclear systems design engineer after bagging a Engineering degree. He hasn't returned to his job before fame but he's used his platform to his advantage - after earning a tonne of cash from PAs he made "wise investments", he is now a millionaire. He's also released an absolute banger - watch this space.
![Nas Majeed](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/7573/a71b/794a/614a/ef57/love-island-nas-majeed.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Nas Majeed
Before going into the Love Island villa in 2020, Nas Majeed was a builder but he actually has a Sports Science degree too.
![Demi Jones](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/7783/a71b/7910/834a/ef7e/love-island-demi-jones.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Demi Jones
Love Island 2020 bombshell Demi Jones worked hard and got herself a History and Archaeology degree in 2019 - a few months before going into the villa.
![Eva Zapico](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/783c/9e78/dfde/b4b1/1da5/love-island-nas-majeed-eva-zapico.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Eva Zapico
Not only is Love Island 2020 bombshell Eva Zapico rich (we're judging this purely off her boujee looking house) but she's also got herself a Business Management degree after studying at the University of Nottingham.
![Priscilla Anyabu](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6022/a320/1260/fafe/9b94/cbf4/love-island-priscilla-blonde-hair.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Priscilla Anyabu
Priscilla Anyabu managed to sweep Mike Boateng off his feet in the villa but outside of the show she got herself a degree in International Business.
![Callum Macleod](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6022/a23f/a71b/79e7/904b/1b15/love-island-callum-macleod.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Callum Macleod
Callum Macleod was the first contestant dumped from Love Island 2019 but at least he has a Maths degree to fall back on? Although with 280k Instagram followers he often posts ads on the 'gram.
![Jordan Waobikeze](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6022/a458/a71b/7929/da4b/1b4c/love-island-rebecca-jordan-2020.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Jordan Waobikeze
Remember Casa Amor bombshell Jordan Waobikeze who was coupled up with Rebecca Gormley? Well, either way before going into the villa he got a degree in Biology/Biological Sciences.
![Luke Trotman](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/7593/1c02/4c48/b6e8/b196/love-island-luke-t.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Luke Trotman
Another Love Island 2020 star who went to university is Luke Trotman but he was actually in his second year of uni before going on the show. Although in September 2020 he revealed he's currently finishing his final year for his Banking, Finance and Management degree. He's also an influencer and has created a clothing brand with his girlfriend Siânnise Fudge.
![Jess Gale](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/78b6/1c02/4cd4/eee8/b1ca/love-island-jess-gale.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Jess Gale
Another contestant who went into the villa before completing their Psychology degree at UCL is Jess Gale. The reality star deferred university and we're not sure if she plans on going back.
![Eve Gale](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/78b5/1c02/4c45/fce8/b1c9/love-island-eve-gale.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Eve Gale
Following in her sister's footsteps, Eve deferred her Geography degree at King's College London. Again, we're not sure whether she'll be going back any time soon.
![Hayley Hughes](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/601d/7904/9e78/df48/5ab1/1dad/love-island-hayley-hughes.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Hayley Hughes
Despite claiming she didn't know anything about Brexit, Hayley got three Bs at A level and went on to study Childhood and Youth Studies at Liverpool Hope University but she dropped out to become an actress.
![closer magazine](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6025/68da/73e8/2b3e/23aa/5af8/closer-magazine-cover.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
WATCH: Amy and Joanna spill the tea on their 'day off' in the villa | Love Island Secrets
READ MORE
EXCLUSIVE! Kerry Katona: ‘It feels right with Ryan because I finally learnt to love myself’
The six things Jacqueline Jossa did to get over Dan Osborne's cheating
Chanelle Hayes: ‘I want to help others and make life good again’
![chanelle hayes](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6025/6856/05d8/ea54/3f86/0982/chanelle-hayes-covid-vaccine.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Not only has mum-of-two Chanelle Hayes worked as a student nurse during lockdown, she’s also applied to volunteer as a vaccinator. When fans asked about her vaccine, Chanelle, 33, responded, “To those asking why I got my jab so early… I work in healthcare on the frontline with vulnerable people and have also applied to vaccinate people through St John’s Ambulance Service, so it was necessary really.
“Not jumping the queue for personal gain, just following protocol in order to help others and make life good again.” She’s opened up about her work during holidays, too. Last December, she said, “People don’t stop being vulnerable because it’s Christmas.”
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.