Celebs at the frontline

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.”

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Chanelle Hayes: ‘I want to help others and make life good again’

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.