‘Love Island’ contestant Chris Hughes has opened up about struggles with anxiety, revealing how he was once crippled by it in the middle of a cricket game.
The reality TV star won praise for displaying his emotions during his stint on the ITV2 series, having penned an Instagram post about his mental health prior to entering the villa.
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Love Island's Chris opened up about his mental health
ITV
Speaking to HuffPost UK and other journalists upon returning to the UK following Monday (24 July) night’s final, Chris spoke candidly about how hypnotherapy sessions helped him to overcome the illness.
“I had a hypnotherapist and had a load of sessions with him, and he sorted it out,” he said.
“I was at a time where I had anxiety over feeling anxious. I had a 9-5 job and when it got to half four, I would start feeling anxious not wanting to go home from work, which was really weird. When I got home, I just felt like shit.
“It wasn’t until I spoke to my mum that I got help.”
He continued: “It doesn’t reoccur much any more, but I had it when I was playing cricket actually, and I broke down in the middle of a cricket field one day, which was about a year ago.
“It was fine in the villa, but I did speak to a few friends and family about it before, but it didn’t affect it really.”
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Chris and Olivia finished third in the final
ITV
His girlfriend Olivia Attwood, however, admitted she had struggled with her mental health during her time on ‘Love Island’.
“It was tough,” she said. “One of my things is that I’m really impulsive, so I act on impulse and have no filter. I think it’s good to be that way because to bottle all your feelings up is quite unhealthy. But if I felt sad or vulnerable, I just pretend I’m angry.
“Jamie had to literally sit me down one morning and give me a therapy session.”
During the interview, Chris also spoke of his bromance with winner Kem Cetinay, revealing they are planning to team up with Marcel Somerville to release a rap album.
Chris and Kem's bromance was a huge talking point of the series
ITV
Chris said of teaming up with the ‘Big For Your Boots’ rapper: “There is no hope there because I know it will happen. We could do ‘A Little Bit Leave It’ remix.
“Me, Marcel and Kem are going to do an EP in October/November time, and we’re going to have some big artists on it, so that’s where [Stormzy] will come in.”
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
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Get Connected is a free advice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk
11 Outrageous Oft-Forgotten Dating Shows
Playing It Straight(01 of11)
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It all seemed like a bit of a laugh at the time, but in hindsight, a reality series based entirely around whether you can guess if a group of men are gay or straight is guilty of perpetuating stereotypes at best and outright homophobic at worst.
The show ran for one series in 2005 with June Sarpong, only to be revived a full seven years later, this time with Jameela Jamil at the helm. (credit:Channel 4)
There's Something About Miriam(02 of11)
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Of course, that's nothing compared to Sky's There's Something About Miriam, during which the titular Miriam chose a match from a variety of suitors, only to drop the bombshell at the end that she is transgender.
The men in question played along on camera, but prior to the series' airdate, they collectively tried to sue Sky, alleging conspiracy to commit sexual assault, defamation, breach of contract, and personal injury in the form of psychological and emotional damage.
Wow.
In 2019, it was announced that the show's star Miriam Rivera had died at the age of 38. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
I Wanna Marry Harry(03 of11)
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The premise of this completely ridiculous show was that a group of women were flown to the UK, where they competed for the affections of a man they were led to believe was Prince Harry.
As you can see, the man in question was not Prince Harry, but a rather dubious lookalike. As the contestants figured out fairly quickly.
Eventual winner Kimberly Birch later hit out at the show, claiming the girls were manipulated into thinking they were just being paranoid when they voiced their doubts to producers, who even went as far as urging them to speak to a fake therapist for reassurance.
Surprisingly dark, for a seemingly frivolous dating show based around the fact that "marry" rhymes with "Harry". (credit:Fox)
Baggage(04 of11)
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A dating show (for some reason hosted by Gok Wan) that revolved around contestants putting their worst foot forward, by exposing their most annoying habits and airing their dirty laundry on national television.
We can't think why this didn't work as a format, tbh. (credit:Channel 4)
The X Effect(05 of11)
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The premise of this bizarre American show is that a couple would be treated to a luxury weekend for two. The only downside? You have to spend it with your ex, rather than your current partner.
At the end of the show, both halves of the pair choose whether to stick with their current partner or return to their ex.
Brutal... but yes, we probably would tune in if they made a British version. (credit:MTV)
Man O Man(06 of11)
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This '90s show gave the female contestants all the power.
In each round, the women would be presented with a line-up of men, and if they didn't like what they saw... they pushed them in a swimming pool behind them.
A simple – but no doubt satisfying – format. (credit:ITV)
The Cougar(07 of11)
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Exactly what it sounds like, but what was particularly special about this was show was the way the eponymous cougar would whittle down her suitors.
The "Kiss-Off" would see Stacey Anderson, the cougar in question, kiss a hopeful either on the lips or cheek, depending on whether she wanted him to stay or go.
Biblical. (credit:TV Land)
Married By America(08 of11)
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Sort of a Married At First Sight-meets-American Idol affair, viewers at home paired up the couples, who then immediately became engaged, via a public vote.
They then moved to a ranch for a three-week period, where they were eliminated one by one. Eventually, none of the couples chose to follow through with their engagement and actually tie the knot, rendering the whole thing totally pointless.
Money well spent. (credit:Channel 4)
The Littlest Groom(09 of11)
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After just two episodes, and a whoooole lot of negative reaction from viewers, The Littlest Groom - which centred on 4'5" Glen Foster's quest for love - was cancelled in 2004. (credit:Fox)
Chains Of Love(10 of11)
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As the title suggests, this show revolved around one "Picker", who found themselves chained to four prospective dates for four straight days (all at the same time) while cameras filmed their every move.
Each night, the "Picker" would cut one perspective date until only one was left, with whom they would then share a hefty cash prize. (credit:Endemol)
The Ultimate Merger(11 of11)
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A show that saw Apprentice US star Omarosa on the lookout for The One. To help her is everyone's favourite matchmaker, Donald Trump, who helped choose her initial shortlist.
Because who would you want playing Cupid more than the always-tasteful Mr Rational himself, Donald J Trump?
Frankly, we're surprised he even bothered pursuing the presidency, when he'd have so obviously nailed a matchmaking career. (credit:Mike Coppola via Getty Images)