Documentaries to game shows: All the Love Islanders who ditched influencing to present TV

Starting out as strangers and entering life on the big screen, Love Island contestants can really make a name for themselves after eight weeks in the sun. After showing their bubbly personalities, fiery sides and becoming fan favourites, it is no wonder why these islanders have landed themselves TV opportunities of presenting their very own show. Whether they are guests on daytime TV or even presenting their own documentary, here’s a look at all the Love Islanders turned TV presenters who have really excelled and become familiar faces in the TV world.

Zara McDermott

via BBC

After joining the Love Island cast in 2018, Zara McDermott entered as a bombshell in the villa with her eyes set on Adam Collard. Although her time in the villa was short lived and she was dumped just 10 days later, Zara launched herself into the world of TV and presenting shortly after.

After falling victim to revenge porn herself, Zara presented a hard-hitting documentary on BBC Three in 2021, shedding light on this problem that many women face. Throughout the documentary, Zara explored issues she experienced herself when she was young.

She has since presented numerous shows, including Zara McDermott: Disordered Eating which premiered in 2022, and Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge, which aired in July 2023 and looked at the disappearance of Gaia Pope.

The BBC also announced McDermott’s fifth documentary, Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island, in July 2023, which saw Zara explore the party island and how Brits manage to make a living out there. She doesn’t plan on stopping there either, with her sixth documentary three heads for the University of Idaho as she explores the murder of four students back in November 2022.

Olivia Attwood

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via ITV

After proving herself as an icon on Love Island 2017, Olivia Attwood became a fast fan favourite in the villa. After coupling up with Chris Hughes, the couple lasted for seven months post-Love Island.

Also appearing on The Only Way Is Essex and even participated on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, it’s no surprise that Olivia entered the world of TV presenting. She presented her first show, Olivia Attwood: Getting Filthy Rich, in 2022, which explored online selling of sexual content. Although controversial, the show proved popular and explored the behind the scenes of selling sex online, questioning if it really is as easy as it seems. In fact, she’s the queen of documentaries, also hosting The Price of Perfection on ITVX.

Alongside her guest appearances on Loose Women, Olivia has gone on to star in her own TV show, Olivia Marries Her Match, which explores Olivia’s marriage with her footballer husband, Bradley Dack, as they start their new life together in Manchester.

Chris Hughes

via BBC

After his third place Love Island win with Olivia, Chris did pretty well after leaving the villa. After his charming performance on Love Island series three, Chris Hughes shot to fame with his music career and duo antics with villa bestie, Kem Cetinay.

Although shooting a spin-off challenge show on ITV 2 called You vs. Chris and Kem and suffering a short lived career as a rapper, Chris moved into more serious presenting. He presented a BBC Three show Me, My Brother & Our Balls, where he opened up about his battle with testicular cancer.

He also regularly hosts with ITV Racing, which includes the Grand National and The Cheltenham Festival.

Chloe Burrows

via Channel 4

After appearing on Love Island 2021, Chloe Burrows became very popular in the villa. Her iconic phrases and hilarious attitude meant that fans absolutely loved her, securing her second place with Toby Aromolaran.

Since leaving the villa, she’s hosted her own Channel 4 documentary called Love in the Limelight: UNTOLD, where she explores what life is like for reality TV couples who live out their romance in the public eye. Released in April this year, the documentary even features Love Island winner Davide Sanclimenti, and MAFS UK 2023 couple, Shona and Matt.

Chloe has also in loads of game shows such as Scared of the Dark in 2023, Tapped Out with Nella Rose and Secret Sauce with Chunkz, all whilst hosting her very own podcast called Chloe vs. The World where she interviews celebrities.

Maura Higgins

via ITV

The Irish Love Island contestant was absolutely iconic in series five of Love Island. Her sassy and fierce personality landed her as one of our firm favourites and she’s since become one of the series’ most memorable contestants. Maura soon started appearing on This Morning with her agony aunt segment and had her own two part series called Maura’s Ireland.

Not long after competing on Dancing on Ice in 2020, Maura landed her own show on ITV2 called Maura Higgins: You’re Joking Me! She’s also appeared on Supermarket Sweep, Celebrity Juice and The Wheel.

In July 2023, Maura was announced as the new host for Love Island US and then became the host for Love Island Games. I couldn’t think of a better choice, personally.

Dani Dyer

via Channel 4

It is absolutely no shock that the daughter of Danny Dyer has become a TV presenter and actress. After winning the fourth series of Love Island with Jack Fincham, Dani was a much-loved contestant. Post-Love Island, the couple had their own spin-off ITVBe series called Jack & Dani: Life After Love Island.

After appearing as a guest reporter on The One Show and then on EastEnders as a taxi driver named Jeanette back in 2019, Dani soon moved onto bigger and better TV gigs. In 2023, she launched a TV show with her father called Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani do Italy, where the father and daughter duo explored the Italian sites. Later in the year, Dani also bagged her own Channel 4 show called Dani Dyer: Is This Anxiety?, where she opened up about her own anxiety as a new mum and the pressures of motherhood.

For more like this look at Love Islanders who became TV presenters and all the latest Love Island news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook.  

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Featured image via ITV, Channel 4 and BBC