Love Island star says 'I'm poor' and back at day job after reality TV fame fades

Love Island’s Mitch Taylor has admitted he is struggling to adjust to life away from the cameras, revealing he is back in full-time work and far from happy about it.

Mitch, who first rose to fame on the 2023 summer series of Love Island before returning for the All Stars spin-off the following year, told fans he is back to his old trade as a gas engineer after two years of chasing fame.

The 27-year-old used Snapchat to open up about the reality of post-villa life, saying: “Yes guys listen giving you an update on my life and to be honest with you. I've just not posted on Snapchat at all since. I'm grafting so much.

"Guys, I didn't have a nine to five for two years because old rock star famous cool guy. Now, I'm poor, so I've got to work. And I can't go on a dating shows because I'm in love with a girl. But it's not that guys, it's just like I've been working loads.”

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His remarks sparked interest because during his time on the show he was often labelled “messy Mitch” for jumping between girls in the villa.

Viewers first saw him pair up with Molly Marsh, only for him to later pursue Leah Taylor, Jess Harding, Ella Barnes and Abi Moores.

After returning to the UK, he briefly dated Ella, though the relationship ended quickly. He was later pictured alongside his former flame Abi, fuelling more headlines about his complicated love life.

In 2024, Mitch gave the villa another go in Love Island: All Stars, but the experiment was short-lived.

He was eliminated on day 16 after clashing with Liberty Poole, once again confirming his reputation as one of the franchise’s most unpredictable Islanders.

Now, his attention is firmly on life away from TV. Mitch has been dating South African TikTok creator Hayley Griffin for over a year, and the pair went public in July 2024.

Hayley has joked about keeping him out of reality TV for good, quipping in a viral video: “Me taking Mitch on as a boyfriend so no one has to watch him on Love Island again.”

While Mitch has returned to the stability of his career before fame, his comments hint that he misses the excitement and lifestyle that came with being in the public eye.

For fans, though, “messy Mitch” will remain one of the most memorable Islanders in recent years.

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