Archive September 13, 2025

A former Love Island star has admitted the influencer work after the show has dried up and he has returned to his day job as his influencer lifestyle was no longer paying the bills

A Love Island alum has revealed the reason behind his decision to steer clear of the limelight. While many stars of the popular dating show turn to an influencer lifestyle, the man known as Messy Mitch has returned to his day job following a stint on the show.

Mitchel Taylor from the 2023 series also bagged himself a spot in the All Stars spin-off of the show. However, he has now returned to his pre-show normality – and insists that is not a bad thing.

The 27-year-old took to Instagram to reveal how his showbiz lifestyle was over and he was back in the swing of a regular nine-to-five job. Insisting the influencer lifestyle was no longer paying the bills, Mitch – who was best known for his chaotic ways in the lavish villa – has returned to his role as a gas engineer.

READ MORE: Love Island winner Jess Harding spotted getting cosy with BBC presenterREAD MORE: Sophie Kasaei and Jordan Brook reveal hopeful fertility update with powerful message

He said on social media: “Guys, if you’re not nearly 30 like gorgeous Messy Mitch, and you’re still trying to survive off Love Island money, not locking into other ventures, then yes, you’re stupid.

“You gotta do Love Island and you gotta do your day job, because money keeps sexy girlfriends and buys houses.”

His jokey confession came after his had updated his Snapchat fans on his latest move. “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,” he said.

“I didn’t have a 9-5 for two years because I was, like, old rock star famous cool guy. Now I’m poor, so I’ve got to work.”

But he said that having a job “isn’t a bad thing” as he jovially spoke to followers. And he also ruled out a return to the cast of Love Island, revealing he is in a relationship.

Mitch confessed he is currently dating TikTok’s Hayley Griffin. He went on: “And I can’t go on a dating show because I’m in love with a girl. But it’s not that, guys, it’s just like I’ve been working loads.”

After earning the title Messy Mitch for his constant partner switching, he gave the villa another go in Love Island: All Stars in 2024. However, the experiment was short-lived.

On day 16, Mitch got the boot after clashing with Liberty Poole. It once again confirmed his reputation as one of the franchise’s most unpredictable Islanders.

But now he has turned his focus away from the spotlight and is enjoying life off camera. Mitch and Hayley have been dating for over a year after they went public with their link-up in July 2024.

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

Bobby Brazier has given insight into family feelings about the fact his younger brother Freddy, 20, is to become a first time father following reports of family tensions

Bobby Brazier has shared his feelings about becoming an uncle as his younger brother, Freddy, prepares to become a father. The 22-year-old actor has revealed he is “excited” by the news that his sibling is to become a dad.

Bobby, who played Freddie Slater in EastEnders since 2022, is the eldest son of TV star Jeff Brazier, 46, and late reality star Jade Goodie – who died in 2009 at the age of 27 following a battle against cancer. It was revealed this month that younger brother Freddy, 20, is expecting a child with an ex-girlfriend.

And it is clear that all the Braziers cannot wait to welcome a new addition to their family. Soon-to-be granddad Jeff has already spoken out about the way he hopes to support his youngest son.

READ MORE: Freddy Brazier makes very unusual baby announcement as he confirms he’s going to be a dadREAD MORE: Jade Goody’s widower Jack Tweed fears he’ll never remarry 16 years after her death

And now Bobby has also shared his thoughts on the upcoming arrival. Opening up to The Sun, Bobby said: “My dad broke the news to me about Freddy.

“I didn’t know what to believe to begin with. I’m looking forward to becoming an uncle – a funcle. We are excited.”

Bobby went on to explain that the baby will bring the family together closer than ever before. He gushed: “It’s going to be a team effort. Undoubtedly it will bring us together.

“My dad is uber supportive and I’m hoping I can take some of that and raise the baby together.” The statement follows positive reports of Freddy reconnecting with his dad, Jeff.

In a recent social media post, Freddy praised his dad’s stage debut after watching him in a production of 101 Dalmatians, writing: “I’ve now been to watch 101 Dalmatians three times. Some would say Fred you got a lot of time on your hands don’t ya? Well yes I do got too much time on my hands actually!

But I just love watching my Dad at work and having fun and smiling, it makes me smile. I’ve Loved watching my Dad and the rest of the cast in the show as has everyone that I’ve gone with or spoke to. What a great show if you haven’t watched it you’ve got till the 30th so hurry up!!”

Jeff responded to his son’s tribute with an emotional comment that hinted at hopes of a more personal reconciliation at home. He wrote: “This is beautiful Fred thank you for taking the time. I love you forever and I’m there for you through thick and thin. Hopefully see you at home tonight x”

There had been reports of friction between the father and son after it was reported Jade’s mother, Jackiey Budden, 68, had come between them. And there have also been reports that Bobby is moving to India to to “immerse himself” in the Hare Krishna movement and pursue a spiritual journey.

The reports have hinted at tensions within the Brazier family – but online posts by the three men suggest they family is united and as strong as ever.

Pete Briquette has opened up about his time with The Boomtown Rats and how, after 50 years in the business, the band are still extremely busy with sold-out tours

They’re celebrating their 50th anniversary, but The Boomtown Rats’ Pete Briquette admits he had a very different outlook on the band’s future. Briquette, Bob Geldof, and Simon Crowe will next month embark on an almost sold-out tour and launch a special documentary commemorating their 50th anniversary.

Speaking to the Mirror, Pete, 71, said: “If I come back 50 years, I thought 50 years ago what I’d be like in 50 years’ time – I had this vision of being in a special old people’s home for musicians, we’d all be a distant memory.

“We’ve had our busiest year ever with the Rats’ 50th birthday and then of course, Live Aid’s 40th birthday and Band Aid’s 40th, it’s been fantastic.”

Pete, from Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, in Ireland, says it was an “honour” to have played a part in both Live Aid and Band Aid. “There are two things young people are impressed with in my career, if I’m talking to young people, one is that, and the other is the fact that we did a tour with the Ramones and Talking Heads – anything beyond that, they’re not interested, they don’t care about hit records, or anything else.

“It’s great for being involved in that. That final moment at Wembley, the Rats played Feed The World at the very end, that’s where the lead singer of The Rats was, alternatively, Freddie [Mercury], Elton [John], Bono, [David] Bowie, George Michael, Sting, and our normal geezer at the front, Geldof.

“That is just a great moment to always remember, playing that song, that iconic moment, Bono sings that line, Wembley sings that line with him. It’s great to be part of it. I mean, it’s good to be part of such a great rock and roll band. My life has been lived in a rock and roll world, playing with this band. I’m not going to pretend it’s amazing, and I feel extraordinarily lucky.

“To be playing a sold-out tour and all these festivals over the summer, it’s been an incredibly busy and fantastic year.” Pete says the “unique moment” will always be etched in his mind due to the chords being sung line for line at Wembley Stadium, adding he is “extraordinarily honoured” to have played a part in the iconic performance and song.

But after five decades, he says it’s “really nice to be relevant,” ahead of their upcoming tour. He added: “Most people our age become invisible, you become aware of that once you get into your 50s, 50s and 60s, you become invisible to later generations, they don’t see you in the room, they don’t see you in the street. This avoids that for people like me, I’m a very lucky man.”

While most artists would celebrate their fifth decade in music with their bandmates at a quiet party, The Rats will instead be celebrating at a concert at London’s Eventim Apollo on October 31. “It’s going to be a great gig,” he said, before explaining that there’s going to be a special half-hour film beforehand documenting their rise to fame and cementing themselves as one of the world’s greatest rock bands.

But the film is still being made; however, it will feature unseen footage of the band from the past five decades, as well as “funny stuff from the past.” However, Pete explained that The Rats use “certain criteria” to choose their setlist. This includes how the song sounds live, whether it’s a hit, and what fans want. “We’re forever leaving out songs,” he laughed, adding: “It’s not good, but it has to be done—it’s painful.” But one band he has respect for is Oasis, who on their mammoth Oasis Live’25 tour, have performed B-side tracks and had the whole sold-out crowd singing along to every word.

The Rats have inspired a whole generation, but Pete admits to being inspired by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones growing up. “I’ve always had a musical reference,” he said. Nowadays, he still listens to BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 – but his music choice is very different. “I love Fontaines DC and Kneecap. They’re Irish bands by coincidence, but I mean, Arctic Monkeys are a fantastic band, but before that, it was Radiohead that I loved. There’s always been a band that I love at the time.

“Fontaines are my favourite at the moment. Music is very important to me, it’s part of my core, part of my DNA, part of what makes me happy or sad, or if I’m sad, it’s music that I reach out to.” However, he admits that while there’s a resurgence in bands, there’s also a “lack.”

He added: “There are very few bands now, which is sad, a band is unique. What comes out of that band is a unique thing that’s only unique to that band; there’s a certain connection that people have. I think any one of the Stones playing with someone else becomes nothing but the minute they get together, they are The Rolling Stones.

“Me comparing us [The Rats] to the stones is a bit weird, individually, we’re like nothing, but as a band, we’re a complete powerhouse.” Reflecting on Kneecap, Pete said: “It’s not the politics I like about Kneecap; they’re a bit silly to be saying things. You can say those things without saying them where you get in trouble.”