Love Island hopeful Megan Clarke has revealed how she really feels about being compared to show icon Maura Higgins ahead of the upcoming series.
The 24-year-old musical theatre student, who will be entering the villa this year, says she’s flattered by the comparison to the Irish beauty, 34.
In a new interview with The Sun, Megan said: ‘I love Maura – what a compliment. She’s an icon.
‘She is like the Queen of Ireland. So if people are comparing me to her, then cheers, love that, thank you.’
Dublin-born Megan, who joins the villa on Monday, has already drawn comparisons to Maura thanks to her Irish accent and glamorous brunette looks.
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Love Island hopeful Megan Clarke (left) has revealed how she really feels about being compared to show icon Maura Higgins (right) ahead of the upcoming series
She also expressed sympathy for Maura, who shot to fame on Love Island six years ago, following the reality star’s infamous ‘drunken kiss’ with married McFly guitarist Danny Jones at a BRIT Awards afterparty earlier this year.
Megan simply said: ‘We’ve all had a drunken kiss.’
Describing herself as a ‘modern-day Bridget Jones,’ Megan revealed she’s been single for nearly three years following a rocky relationship with her university boyfriend, who she says cheated on her multiple times.
The pair were ‘on and off’ during her first year at university, but Megan says their relationship didn’t end on good terms.
When asked about their relationship she revealed he cheated on her ‘quite a bit’ and other girls were ‘none the wiser’.
She also shared how her ex-boyfriend is now blocked and she hasn’t spoken to him since they split.
Opening up about her dating life, Megan described the last two years as ‘hell and horror’ claiming many men don’t put in the effort these days and that there are ‘so many frogs’ around.
However, it seems the boys in the villa might be in luck as Megan admitted she’s stocked up on bikinis and sexy outfits for the Hideaway – the villa’s private spot for couples to spend some alone time.
In a new interview with The Sun, Megan said: ‘I love Maura — what a compliment. She’s an icon,’
She added: ‘She is like the Queen of Ireland. So if people are comparing me to her, then cheers, love that, thank you’
Dublin-born Megan, who joins the villa on Monday, has already drawn comparisons to Maura thanks to her Irish accent and glamorous brunette looks
That said, her mum has given her strict instructions to keep things PG, and Megan insists she plans to follow through.
Currently working in telesales, Megan said she hasn’t had any office romances but admits she enjoys ‘a little flirt here and there’ to keep work life fun – though she added nothing serious has ever come of it.
Love Island confirmed the full line-up of contestants joining the upcoming series earlier this week.
The ITV2 dating show returns on June 9 and there looks set to be the usual mix of love triangles, bedroom trysts and messy breakups as contestants make their way to the island.
This year’s crop of hopefuls include a Declan Rice body double, fire breather and Maura Higgins lookalike and Maya will once again be at the helm after joining the popular dating series in January 2023.
This year, the show celebrates a decade on screens and promises to have ‘more twists and turns than ever before’ in honour of their 10-year anniversary.
The series, which has been streamed over two billion times on ITVX, has seen over 300 Islanders pass through the villa doors over the years, including the likes of Olivia Attwood, Dani Dyer, Chris Hughes, and Molly-Mae Hague.
Earlier this week, a Love Island producer also revealed that this year’s contestants could come face to face with their ex-partners in the villa.
Love Island confirmed the full line-up of contestants earlier this week. The ITV2 dating show returns on June 9 (L-R Harry, Blu, Alima,Tommy, Megan, Helena, Ben, Sophie, Meg, Sharkia, Dejon and Kyle)
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Love Island host Maya Jama reveals show's FIRST EVER American bombshell as she receives teasing voicenote ahead of new series
Speaking to The Sun, ITV’s Mike Spencer-Hayter said: ‘Do you know what I always say, the cast get released and then the ex’s come forward. And that’s how you get the bombshells.
‘They will have to go through the process, but we have already a pool of really really good bombshells lined up. There’s some people in that mix that are really under the radar as well.
‘The casting team have been working for quite a while now. Gone to lots of different events and been out and about looking for people and I think they’ve done a brilliant job. We always have those killer bombshells to come in.’
It comes after Mike revealed to the Mail that the first week of the new season will see ‘something big’ as they ‘tear up the rule book’ to liven up the hit show.
Last year the show had a shock entry when TOWIE favourite Joey Essex, 34, entered the villa, to very mixed results from fans.
When asked if they will be getting another former reality TV star or celebrity in as a contestant this year, Mike said something else will be a surprise.
‘No former Love Islanders are coming in this year,’ he said. ‘Something big is coming in week one though. Not another reality star like Joey Essex.
‘We’ve got a big week one planned. It’s not a celebrity, but totally new. It’s even different this year the way islanders will couple up.
‘You can’t rest on people loving the show, we have to keep it exciting. Tear up the rule book a bit.’
Love Island is set to air on June 9 over on ITV2 and ITVX.
LOVE ISLAND 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Sophie Lee
NAME: Sophie Lee
AGE: 29
FROM: Manchester
OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I’m only finding ones draped in red flags and ‘do not cross’ signs
IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’m the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self.
Dejon Noel Williams
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I’ve met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we’d go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I’ve met David Beckham, he was really nice.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’d like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we’re going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
Tommy Bradley
NAME: Tommy Bradley
AGE: 22
FROM: Hertfordshire
OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. I don’t know if that’s asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven’t got a specific type in terms of looks, though.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair
Alima Gagio
NAME: Alima Gagio
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That’s it
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she’d hire me because I’m a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I’m originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number.
But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don’t want to give a guy your number. I’m originally from Guinea Bissau. If they’re close and I really fancy them, I’ll give them my number anyway.
Ben Holbrough
NAME: Ben Holbrough
AGE: 23
FROM: Gloucester
OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That’s it
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I’d have been out of business a long time ago. That’s exactly why I’m here.
Helena Ford
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you’ll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 24
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they’re not bad looking, that’s always a plus.
I love a boy that’s a bit pasty, like Timothé e Chalamet. I don’t mind scrawny, or a bit of a ‘dad bod’. I’m 5ft1 so any height really.
CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton.
Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I’ve also done Panto.
Blu Chegini
NAME: Blu Chegini
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She’d fire me, but I’ve got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!
Shakira Khan
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they’re all frogs. It’s a busy love life but I’ve not found ‘the husband’, I’m looking for ‘the one’. I’m looking for the ring.
Harry Cooksley
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don’t think I’d go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I’m the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You’ll never see my face, but you’ll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
Conor Phillips
NAME: Conor Phillips
AGE: 23
FROM: Limerick
OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don’t mind a dominant woman.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn’t work, but it gets them laughing. It’s an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!
Kyle Ashman – AXED
NAME: Kyle Ashman
AGE: 23
FROM: Stafford
OCCUPATION: Water operative
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that’s fun, confident and just themselves.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I’d say I’d be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.