Paige Thorne has revealed the real reason she went on Love Island was because her fiancé called off their engagement via text message.
The 25-year-old reality star said she was “heartbroken” and “depressed” by the surprise split.
She explained that within a week of the split she found out her ex was on Tinder and decided to sign up for the ITV reality show in return.
Motivation: Paige Thorne has revealed the real reason she went on Love Island was because her fiancé broke their engagement via text message
Speaking to Vicky Pattison on her podcast The Secret To, Paige said: “The real reason I went to Love Island is the pettiest reason you’ve ever heard Vick, you’re gonna cry.
“I’ll give you the short version, I won’t bore you, I was in an 18 month relationship with this guy, it was on a tinder date and ended in an engagement.
‘[…] Anyway, he texted me one day out of the blue “I’m breaking up with you” and I was like, ok, let’s get married, but whatever.
“I was like heart broken, and when I say broken heart, I went back on seven stones like I was depressed.
‘Heartbroken’: The 25-year-old reality star said she was ‘heartbroken’ from the surprise breakup and became ‘depressed’
“And then within a week I found out he was on Tinder and I was like you little prick. Right, if you can Tinder, you know what, then I can do Love Island. So fuck off. And I did.’
She went on to argue that “wife material” isn’t the compliment it used to be, saying, “You know what I learned right, so apparently ‘wife material’ is just code for ‘mug’.”
“Apparently my mistress stuff these days means we’ll just take care of her anyway.”
She explained that after a series of failed romances, including with fellow islander Adam Collard, who allegedly cheated on her, she will remain single “for a very, very long time”.
Vows: She explained she would remain single for ‘a very, very long time’ after a string of failed romances, including with fellow islander Adam Collard, who allegedly cheated on her (pictured together)
Paige said: “I have now vowed that I will be single for a very, very long time Vicky, very much! It’s not for me anymore […] In one year I’ve had three failed relationships and we’re only in October.
During her time at the villa, she said she had to hold back at certain points.
She recalled: “I remember the Love Island recoupling. That was calm for me. I was cool, calm and collected, inside I wasn’t like that, it took a lot out of me.
“I could have gone crazy, I wanted to go crazy, and I was like, just don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it.”
Paige was coupled with Jacques O’Neill on the show before Jacques left the island due to his mental health.
Ex-flame: Paige was coupled with Jacques O’Neill on the show before Jacques left the island due to his mental health
But prior to his exit, Jacques had been flirting with and kissing other girls during the infamous Casa Amor episodes, which soured his relationship with Paige.
Discussing her decision to walk away from him, Paige said, “I thought if I don’t stop it now, I know I’m going to fall really too hard and won’t be able to get myself out of it.
She revealed the pair have been in touch since the show, adding: “We get on really well.”
Elsewhere in the chat, Vicky asked Paige about her mental health and admitted she’s been going through “a really dark time.”
Restrained: Opening up about her time at the villa, she said she’s had to restrain herself at certain points
She said: “That’s a question that doesn’t get asked often, ‘Are you okay?’ It really isn’t.
“I’ve been through a really rough time since I first came out and everything was going great, it was going well and then of course I’ve had all these things in the press and honestly it’s been such a really dark time.
She added, “But I feel like I’ve gone through my dark time now and pulled myself out of it.”
Paige also spoke about returning to her paramedic career after leaving the mansion.
Frontlines: Paige also spoke about returning to her career as a paramedic after leaving the mansion
She said: “You know what, so far it’s been really easy. So WHAT is the Welsh Administration Service I work for, the NHS. You were so supportive […] You have literally been amazing with me.
“When I go and do my paramedic stuff it’s literally like nothing’s changed, I haven’t been on TV, I’m still the same paramedic I’ve always been and I love that, it’s like my time .
“It’s like you’ve never been away and no one else treats you. Then I can get out the next day and do a little shoot in Milan.”
She added, ‘Some of the scenes I witnessed really stick with you and it’s just heartbreaking to see how COVID has completely annihilated people but hopefully we’ll come out of this as a country in a different ending.’
Vicky Pattison: The Secret To is available to listen to on Acast and all major podcast platforms. New episodes are released every Thursday
Come out on the other side: Elsewhere in the chat, Vicky asked Paige about her mental health and admitted she’s been going through “a really dark time.”