Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips says losing her father to cancer ‘completely changed’ her life

He passed away in 2016

shaughna phillips father cancer 2016

by Lucy Smith |
Updated on

Shaughna Phillips has opened up about her father's passing in 2016 after it was revealed that she'll be starring in ITV's The Real Full Monty On Ice.

The 25 year old will be taking part on the show alongside celebrities including fellow Love Islander Chris Hughes as well as soap star Jamie Lomas, who will all perform routines on ice while naked. The show hopes to raise awareness of cancers in more intimate areas.

Speaking about her appearance on the show, Shaughna opened up about losing her father four years ago after he lost his 18-month battle with cancer.

She said, "It completely changed my life and my perspective of what I thought was important."

CHECK OUT: Love Island 2018 - jobs before the cast went on the show

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Love Island 2018 jobs before the show - CLOSER slider

Adam Collard1 of 38
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Adam Collard

Before going on the show and dating Kendall, Rosie, Megan, Zara and Darylle, Adam was just a 22-year-old personal trainer and gym director from Newcastle.

Dani Dyer2 of 38
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Dani Dyer

Her dad is the infamous Danny Dyer - aka Mick Carter - but Dani, who has found love with Jack Fincham, is a 21-year-old barmaid from East London.The Dyer family have left London behind and have moved into a proper swanky Essex home.

Dr. Alex George3 of 38
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Dr. Alex George

He was unlucky in love during his time in the villa until Alexandra caught eye, but outside, Dr Alex is living his best life as a 27-year-old A&E doctor from Carmarthen, West Wales.

Eyal Booker4 of 38
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Eyal Booker

After leaving the villa Eyal said he wants to kickstart his music career but before becoming a reality TV star, the 22-year-old was a model from London.

Hayley Hughes5 of 38
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Hayley Hughes

She infamously didn't know what Brexit was (remember: does that mean we won't have any trees?) but Hayley is actually a 21-year-old model from Liverpool.

Jack Fincham6 of 38
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Jack Fincham

He's fallen in love with Dani Dyer but outside of villa Jack is a 26-year-old stationery sales manager from Kent.Yup. He sells pens.

Kendall Rae-Knight7 of 38
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Kendall Rae-Knight

She was the first to leave the villa after Adam shockingly picked Rosie over her. Kendall is a 26-year-old retail manager from Blackpool.

Laura Anderson8 of 38
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Laura Anderson

Laura knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it and it's no wonder, she's a 29-year-old cabin crew member from Stirling in Scotland.

Niall Aslam9 of 38
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Niall Aslam

Niall surprised everyone when he quit the show after a few weeks but, later, he bravely spoke out and revealed he has Asperger syndrome.We miss seeing him on our TV screens and wonder if the 23-year-old student and construction worker from Coventry will go back to his day job?

Samira Mighty10 of 38
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Samira Mighty

Before going on Love Island 22-year-old Samira was a West End performerfrom London. During her time in the villa it was reported that she was 'being sued' for quitting her theatre role just days before joining the show. She's now in a relationship with Frankie Foster, who she met in the villa.

Wes Nelson11 of 38
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Wes Nelson

He dated Laura and swiftly (literally the exact same day) Wes moved onto his now girlfriend Megan. Outside of the villa the 20 year old is a electrical and nuclear systems design engineer from Staffordshire. Surprised? We were.

Rosie Williams12 of 38
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Rosie Williams

Despite being unlucky in love with Adam, who left her for Zara his now-girlfriend, Rosie is a 26-year-old solicitor from South Wales.

Georgia Steel13 of 38
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Georgia Steel

She caused a lot of drama in the villa and it shouldn't come as a surprise because Georgia is a 20-year-old performing arts student from York.

Josh Denzel14 of 38
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Josh Denzel

After moving on from Georgia in Casa Amor with Kaz Crossley, viewers were less than impressed with Josh (we don't blame them tbh). However, he's now happily in a relationship with Kaz and fun fact - Josh is a 26-year-old sports presenter from North London.

Megan Barton Hanson15 of 38
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Megan Barton Hanson

She's been branded Muggy Megan following her time in the villa, but outside Love Island she's a 24-year-old model from Essex. During his career outside the villa, Alex actually kissed Megan during a music video.

Charlie Frederick16 of 38
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Charlie Frederick

He wasn't on the show that long following his "relationship" with Hayley but outside the villa Charlie is a 23-year-old model from Plymouth.

Zara McDermott17 of 38
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Zara McDermott

She managed to turn bad boy Adam into her actual boyfriend AND he confessed he loved her on national TV. During one of her first scenes on Love Island Zara, who is 21 years old, revealed she's a government advisor from Essex.

Ellie Brown18 of 38
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Ellie Brown

She's cute and fiery (remember that row she had with Georgia?) but Ellie is actually a 20 year old business development manager from Newcastle.

Jordan Adefeyisan19 of 38
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Jordan Adefeyisan

He wasn't in the villa long (bless him) but Jordan is a 23-year-old model from Stockport.

Kazimir Crossley20 of 38
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Kazimir Crossley

Kazimir is a 23-year-old make-up artist from London and has actually worked with Stormzy and former Love Island stars Chris Hughes and Kem Cetinay.

Frankie Foster21 of 38
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Frankie Foster

He's now coupled up with Samira outside the villa, but before it all started, Frankie was a 22-year-old business management student and fitness coach from Cheltenham.

Darylle Sargeant22 of 38
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Darylle Sargeant

She comforted Adam shortly after Zara left but it wasn't to last. Nevertheless Darylle is a 24-year-old eyebrow technician from Watford.

Dean Overson23 of 38
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Dean Overson

Poor Dean didn't find love in the villa (Megan picked Alex over him) but he's a 25-year-old a car sales executive from Burnley, if you're interested.

Charlie Williams24 of 38
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Charlie Williams

We really thought Adam would pick Charlie to go back to the villa but if you fancy dating the 24-year-old bombshell she's a tanning shop assistant from Bath.

Charlie Brake25 of 38
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Charlie Brake

Charlie is currently in a couple with Ellie and one thing we'll never forget about the 23 year old was when he revealed that he doesn't have to work. He's a socialite from Chelsea in London, with a very fancy house and multiple cars.

Savanna Darnell26 of 38
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Savanna Darnell

She wasn't on the show for that long but Savannah, who lived in Casa Amor, is a 22-year-old singer and dancer from Sheffield.

Alex Miller27 of 38
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Alex Miller

He came into the villa and was on a mission to couple up with Megan. Unfortunately Alex was booted out of the villa (and Megan moved quickly on to Wes) but he's still a 28-year-old structural glazier from Essex.

Grace Wardle28 of 38
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Grace Wardle

After her rocky time with Dr Alex and then getting to know new Jack, Grace was forced to leave the villa because she didn't get enough public votes. During her time on the show she said she'd like to work in a hospital but the 25 year old is actually a hairdresser from London.

Jack Fowler29 of 38
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Jack Fowler

He's arguably one of the hottest Love Island contestants from this series (if not ever). Jack is also a 22-year-old semi-professional footballer from London.

Ellie Jones30 of 38
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Ellie Jones

Jack's ex-fling Ellie came into the villa and caused a stir with our favourite Love Island couple but she's actually a 22-year-old customer service and office administrator from Kent.

Alexandra Cane31 of 38
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Alexandra Cane

Make-up artist Alexandra, 27, is from Hertfordshire. Since joining the villa, she has caused a few heads to turn, but is currently very happy with Dr Alex.

Idris Virgo32 of 38
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Idris Virgo

He told Laura it was Jack who kissed Georgia (LIAR) but we're hoping no one tries to fight 25-year-old Idris because he's actually a professional boxer from Birmingham.

Kieran Nicholls,33 of 38
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Kieran Nicholls

He may have joined the villa with Idris but Kieran is not a professional boxer, instead the 26 year old is a personal trainer from London.

josh mair34 of 38
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Josh Mair

Josh, 21, is a professional DJ and, wait for it, bodybuilder. He says: "I DJ'ed at Zoo Project, I played on their boat party in Ibiza this summer. I've played at Birmingham musical festivals in the same line up as Stormzy."

laura crane35 of 38
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Laura Crane

New Laura is a 23-year-old professional surfer who's been breaking waves since she was 16. She has represented the Great Britain team and taken part in the qualifying world series two year years running. Impressive.

paul knops36 of 38
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Paul Knops

Otherwise known as Cool Paul, Paul Knops is the Love Island contestant who has actually SNOGGED Britney Spears. He used to be a carpenter and is now a model. Paul hails from the seaside town of Bournemouth.

Stephanie Lam37 of 38
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Stephanie Lam

Steph is an account manager from Hertfordshire. She says about herself: "Personality-wise, I am always up for a laugh and a bit of fun. I am a very affectionate person and I'm a loyal friend and also girlfriend."

Sam Bird38 of 38
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Sam Bird

Sam, 25, now Georgia Steel's other half, is a fitness entrepreneur and personal trainer from Norwich. He's no stranger to the spotlight, having trained Georgia Toffolo, or 'Toff' from Made in Chelsea, before she went on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here 2018. Sam is the head trainer at the Core Fitness gym in Norwich.

Shaughna continued, "When my dad was ill, I felt like no-one had any idea what I was going through, even my close friends.

"So, if anyone watching this is going through what I've been through losing him and can then feel like they're not alone, I'd be so happy to be able to do that."

Shaughna said that she's been watching the show since it first aired and added that it's "funny but also terribly important."

"Now more than ever," she said.

Shaughna came out of the winter Love Island villa back in February and, since then, with her 1.5million Instagram followers, she's been hoping to find a way to make use of her platform.

She explained, "What I wanted to do [...] was to use that [...] opportunity to try and make a difference.

"Cancer has affected me personally so this was the perfect show for me to raise awareness."

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Chris, who will be joining Shaughna on the show, has been quite vocal in the past about raising cancer awareness.

Indeed, the 27 year old even went so far as to strip off on ITV's This Morning to show viewers a live testicle examination in order to encourage more men to check their testicles for signs of cancer regularly.

Speaking about his family's experience with the disease, Chris said, "I was around 14 and I noticed a build up of veins and eventually got it looked at six years later, aged 20.

"They referred me to hospitals and I ended up having three operations on my left testicle, and that was more down to safety with infertility, because the veins take oxygen."

Chris has since had his sperm frozen as a precaution, but added that his brothers are now completely infertile.

For more information and resources surrounding testicular cancer, please head to the NHS website. For more information surrounding all types of cancer and how to spot the different types, please head to the NHS cancer page.

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