Alert – Olivia Attwood offers her unique perspective on Love Island diversity row and suggests why she doesn’t think plus sized contestants apply

Olivia Attwood has admitted she was shocked by the Love Island diversity row because she thought the show was diverse. 

The reality star appeared on the third series of the dating programme in 2017, finishing in third place with Chris Hughes, after starting her journey with Geordie Shore’s Sam Gowland.

Now married to footballer Bradley Dack, in the latest episode of Olivia’s podcast So Wrong It’s Right, Olivia chatted with Jameela Jamil, 38, about whether body representation on the show had gotten better. 

Olivia revealed: ‘I was having this conversation this morning, actually, before you were coming in, with my team and my producers, because I was like, “It’s an interesting one”, because it’s something people ask me a lot. 

‘Having been on the inside of the machine, I think it’s quite hard to pull yourself back and look at it from the outside.’

Olivia Attwood admitted in the latest episode of Olivia’s podcast So Wrong It’s Right she was shocked by the Love Island diversity row because she thought the show was diverse 

Olivia appeared in the 2017 series (pictured second from left with co-stars [L-R] Jessica Shears, Camilla Thurlow, Chloe Crowhurst, and Montana Brown)

Olivia explained: ‘I came from a modelling, grid girl world – and pageants – where being lined up and measured, that was very normal’ (pictured as a grid girl) 

Olivia then explained: ‘I came from a modelling, grid girl world – and pageants – where being lined up and measured, that was very normal.

‘When I was working for the energy companies, we had to be a certain height, there was one hairstyle, there was one nail colour. 

‘So, [in Love Island] I was actually like: “Oh my gosh, there’s people with different heights, different hair colours, different styles.” So, I think my view was very different to how the outside sees it.

‘And also, I think I was very desensitised to a lot of the stuff the girl experienced coming off of that show. It was water off my back, because my skin was so thick to people talking about the way you look in a bikini, or whatever.’

Speaking about the lack of plus size contestants, Olivia continued: ‘I think automatically when you have a show where people are in their swimsuits all summer long… 

‘I speak to the casting team about this, they’re like: “Funnily enough, people who hate themselves in their swimwear, don’t apply.” 

‘Which is why you end up then with a lot of people who all look very similar. 

And then when you do get someone on who is – I mean, I don’t even want to say “curvy” – curvier, the internet are vile. Future series come up, people see that, they’re like: “Maybe I’m scared, now.” To apply.’ 

Olivia explained: ‘Having been on the inside of the machine, I think it’s quite hard to pull yourself back and look at it from the outside

She revealed: ‘When I was working for the energy companies, we had to be a certain height, there was one hairstyle, there was one nail colour’

In a July interview with The Sunday Times, Olivia shared that she had nothing but fond memories about her grid girl career.

She explained: ‘That job saved my life. I travelled the world, it gave me discipline, I met amazing people, so to me it’d be pretty sad to think someone else wouldn’t get that opportunity.

‘As soon as I’d decided what I wanted to do, I became relentlessly focused on that. Every decision I’ve made over the last five years has been about a bigger picture. 

‘There’s always going to be someone prettier than you, someone smarter than you or whatever, but I can outwork anyone.’

In 2023, Olivia landed a hosting job with ITV as the presenter of a brand-new dating series, revealed in May.

The former Love Island star is currently filming the show in Greece, which features couples who are experiencing issues in their relationships because of men behaving badly, with Olivia helping to change their ways.

In November, revealed Olivia had been offered a six-figure deal to front the series, which has been predicted to be the next big thing since Love Island.

A TV source revealed: ‘Olivia is over the moon, she could have never predicted after starring on Love Island as a contestant to one day be presenting her own dating series. 

‘She is working with a full ensemble cast and filming has already started in Greece, she is loving every second of it so far.’

Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s Right is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Olivia finishing the third series of Love Island in third place with Chris Hughes (pictured), after starting her journey with Geordie Shore’s Sam Gowland