Paige Thorne opens up about "pressure" to body prep before going on Love Island

Given that each year the Love Island contestants are introduced to the world in their swimwear, it's no wonder that they often feel pressure to prep their bodies before entering the villa.

It's something that plenty of the show's former contestants have spoken out about, including last year's winner Millie Court – who said she "felt the need to lose several pounds" – and Winter Love Island star Shaughna Phillips.

Now, Paige Thorne has opened up about how she body prepped for her stint on the show, telling Cosmopolitan UK during an episode of Text on the Beach that she enlisted the help of a personal trainer before entering the villa.

PSA: remember that every body is 'summer ready' – so no one should feel pressured to put in time at the gym before they get their swimmers on. Happy bodies = healthy bodies!

"Well, I started off really well," the former paramedic responded when asked if she felt any "pressure" to body prep. "I was like 'right I'll get a PT, I'll get in shape' and I started that about two months beforehand."

Paige continued: "And then the closer I got to the villa, I gave up all hope. I tried. The thought process was there."

But it's not just Love Island's female contestants who feel a certain way about their bodies being on TV all summer long. Chatting to Cosmopolitan UK about how he body prepped ahead of entering the villa, Adam Collard said: "I feel normally, I would probably – definitely – stress about that."

He went on, "I did the first time I went into the villa, but I was kind of okay this time as I bailed on my best friend who was supposed to be doing an Ironman. So I was like four months deep into training and then obviously got the phone call 12 days before [the Ironman] to go back into the villa."

For those who don't know, an Ironman "is a long-distance triathlon race organised by the Ironman franchise. The term 'Ironman' has now become synonymous with races of this distance – a full Ironman has the following format: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run," according to 220triathalon. Sounds intense!

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.

Jade Biggs

Freelance Writer

Jade Biggs (she/her) is one of Cosmopolitan UK's freelance writers, working across all sections including entertainment, beauty, body, and sex and relationships. She previously held the position of Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and the latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. Jade has a degree in journalism and has been a journalist and content editor for ten years, interviewing leading researchers, high-profile influencers, and industry experts in that time. She is a cat mom to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches, and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.