Olivia Attwood says Love Island IS diverse because the women have ‘different heights and hair’ as she blames trolls for lack of plus size contestants

Olivia Attwood admitted she was shocked by the diversity row surrounding Love Island, as she thought the show was diverse.

The reality star appeared on the dating show’s third season in 2017, finishing in third place with Chris Hughes. She began her career with Sam Gowland (Geordie Shore).

Now married to footballer Bradley Dack, in the latest episode of Olivia’s podcast So bad it’s rightOlivia spoke to Jameela Jamil, 38, about whether body representation on the show has improved.

Olivia said: ‘I had this conversation this morning, before you came in, with my team and my producers, because I thought, “It’s interesting,” because it’s something people ask me a lot.

“I’ve been inside the machine myself and it’s hard to stop and look at it from the outside.”

Olivia explains: ‘I come from the world of modelling, grid girls and beauty pageants, where it was very normal to queue and be measured.

‘When I worked for the energy companies, we had to be a certain length, there was one haircut and one color nail polish.

‘So, [in Love Island] I was like, “Oh my god, there are people of different heights, different hair colors, different styles.” I think my view of the world was very different than how the outside world saw it.

“And I also think I was very desensitized to a lot of the things that the girl went through after that show. It was water off my back, because my skin was so thick that people were talking about how you look in a bikini, or whatever.”

Olivia continued her story about the lack of plus-size contestants: “I think when you have a show where people are walking around in swimwear all summer long…

‘When I discuss it with the casting team, they say, “Funnily enough, people who hate themselves in their swimwear don’t apply.”

‘That’s why you end up with a lot of people who all look very similar.

And then when you meet someone who is — I mean, I don’t even want to say “curvy” — curvy, the Internet is disgusting. Future shows come out, people see that, and they’re like, “Maybe I’m scared now.” To apply.’

In an interview in July with The Sunday newspaper, Olivia said she has only fond memories of her career as a grid girl.

She explained: ‘That job saved my life. I travelled the world, it gave me discipline, I met some amazing people, so I would find it really sad to think that someone else wouldn’t have that opportunity.

‘Once I decided what I wanted to do, I focused on it relentlessly. Every decision I’ve made over the last five years has been about the bigger picture.

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

In 2023, Olivia landed a job as a presenter at ITV, where she will host a brand new dating series, MailOnline revealed in May.

The former Love Island star is currently filming the series in Greece. The series is about couples who experience relationship problems due to bad behavior from men. Olivia helps them change their behavior.

In November, MailOnline revealed that Olivia had been offered a six-figure contract to star in the series, which was predicted to be the biggest hit since Love Island.

A TV source revealed: ‘Olivia is over the moon. She never expected to be hosting her own dating series after taking part in Love Island.

‘She is working with a full cast and filming has already started in Greece. She is enjoying it immensely so far.’

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