Given that Big Brother now calls ITV its home, it's no surprise that the casting teams for both BB and Love Island are in cahoots; someone who's not suited for lazing about shirtless on a sun lounger doing f**k all all day, might be better suited for dressing up as an inflatable bear looking for hidden honey pots for luxuries like Tangfastics and savvy b in the Big Brother house.
As it turns out, a popular Big Brother 2024 housemate experienced just that (minus the inflatable bear part) earlier this year. In fact, before appearing on this year's Big Brother, he was approached by the Love Island casting team several times over the last couple of years – including the producers of this year's series – about appearing on the summer dating show.
News of Thomas Atkinson's connections to Love Island hit the headlines towards the end of his time in the Big Brother house, but we weren't satisfied; we simply had to know the DETAILS because these shows make up 80 percent of our personalities. That's sad, isn't it? Must ask Father Christmas for a life this Christmas.
Anyway, soon after his eviction from the Big Brother house back in November, heatworld caught up with amputee footballer to get the real tea.
Thomas revealed, 'I've got messages from Love Island since I was like 18 years old. I remember getting approached and was like, "I'm going to go through the process," just to see what it's like, sort of thing. I don't think I was ever going to do it, it was more just the flex, "Oh, I got approached by Love Island," and know.'
The reality star continued, 'I remember getting a call on like a random Tuesday being like, "You don't really fit this year, like, where the age bracket is, you're probably too young." Fair enough. And then I got a text from Big Brother on the Thursday and I was like, "Might as well just give it a go," as Big Brother fitted my personality a lot more. I feel like on Love Island you've got to hide things about yourself, whereas on Big Brother, it's an open book. You don't hide anything. So for me, Big Brother's the perfect situation.'
And to be fair, you did slay on Big Brother 2024, Tom, and while you might not have gotten the chance to find love in the Love Island villa, for a hot sec there, we were convinced you'd found something with fellow housemate Lily Benson.
Of course, we had to ask Thomas whether Love Island was now off the table now, to which he laughed and said, 'I'll never say no [to Love Island] because I like giving everything a go in life. I won't rule anything out, but I'm 20 years old – for me that's not on the cards yet. I think that's more a [late 20s] sort of range.'
Yeah, fair. Mind you, wasn't Gemma Owen 19 when she went on the show? Hmm... we'll be watching you closely next summer, Thomas.
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Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island, and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅.