Love Island star opens up on Strictly appearance and reveals what really happened

One of the newest stars of the upcoming series of Love Island who already has reality TV experience and connections already has victory in mind for at least one aspect. A dozen singletons have flown out to be welcomed into the villa by host Maya Jama this summer . Each of them are hoping to find true love following a whirlwind romance. Each of them have extremely varied backgrounds, and almost immediately after the line-up was released to the public , fans put their detective skills in action and worked out where they had spotted one Islander before.

Ope Sowande is a West End performer who has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing . The 27-year-old from Lincolnshire says that the experience on the BBC show was 'amazing' but perhaps not as glamorous as some might expect. Asked if anyone turned his head while on the dancefloor, he explained: "Strictly was honestly amazing and I had the best time and I met some really cool people but it was a really long rehearsal schedules. "We start early in the morning, we finished quite late at night.

There wasn't really time to kind of be flirting backstage at all and like it was mostly just focus on getting the job done. "I only did Strictly for a really short amount of time. I think I did one episode a couple years ago and it was a very quick turnaround but it allowed me to meet amazing people." However, a career in showbusiness has meant that his contacts list throws up some recognisable names who he hopes will be supporting him in the villa this summer. One includes a former reality TV star turned presenter and This Morning icon.

Ope revealed: "I did Panto with Alison Hammond a few years ago and we still stay in touch. So I think I reckon she’ll be championing me for sure." However, with his professional background, Ope seems to believe he has an advantage for one of the show's anticipated challenges.

While he says he is not prioritising taking home the show's cash prize saved for the winning couple, he has his eyes on success at the heartrate challenge. He confessed: "Listen. Let me tell you one thing, If I don’t win that (heart rate) challenge, I’ll give myself a serious talking to. I was actually talking to my chaperone today and I was like if I get that far, you know, this is what I want to do.

"I've genuinely got a few ideas that I think would really just everyone's hearts pumping. The moves will be coming out, just you wait." But fans should not expect Ope to play up to the cameras as he plans to separate the performer from the person. "I'm going to be authentically myself and genuinely completely be myself. "No acting is going to be involved.

I'm really trying to find someone special. I'm really trying to separate the performer and the real me. So I think it's gonna be a completely different challenge. I'm really looking forward to it." Love Island returns Monday 1st June at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX