EXCLUSIVE: Love Island’s Harry Cooksley is one of the latest islander heading into the villa for the show’s 12th series – and he’s ready to shake things up both on and off the pitch
Footballer and Declan Rice’s body double Harry Cooksley is one of the latest bombshells heading into the Love Island villa for the show’s 12th series – and he’s ready to shake things up both on and off the pitch.
The 30-year-old professional footballer is trading boots for swimming trunks this summer, swapping his time on the field – and behind the camera – for a shot at romance in the Majorcan villa. Cooksley, who once played in the US and across Europe, might be new to Love Island fans, but he’s already brushed shoulders with some of England’s biggest sporting names – quite literally.
Speaking ahead of his Love Island debut, Cooksley revealed his unlikely connection to Arsenal and England star Declan Rice.
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“Yeah, I spoke to Dec before I came out,” Harry said.. “I’m sure he’ll be fine – he’s got the summer off now so he’ll manage without me.”
Why does Declan Rice need a body double? According to Harry, it’s all about saving time for production crews.
“It’s mainly for close-up shots when they don’t have time with the actual players. So it’s essentially my body on camera for those shots,” he explained.
As for Rice’s reaction to Harry’s reality TV plans? “He was happy for me. He just told me to be myself. He’ll be supporting from the outside. He was excited.”
Harry’s appearance comes as Love Island Series 12 gets underway, with ITV promising more romance, drama, and late-night revelations than ever before. Viewers are already speculating who’ll couple up, who’ll be dumped — and who’ll be sharing more than just a bed.
With the show known for its steamy hideaway scenes, sex on TV remains one of the most hotly debated aspects of the series. When asked about the possibility of having sex on screen, Harry didn’t dodge the question.
“I haven’t spoken to my friends about it, but I did speak to my mum,” he said. “She wasn’t massively strict about it, but I’ll try and be respectful. I’ll keep her in mind – not in the moment – but in general.”
Cooksley’s thoughtful, self-aware approach might surprise those expecting the usual “footballer bad boy” persona. But he insists he’s not here to play games.
“I’d like to think I’m breaking that stereotype,” he said. “I’m a bit older now. Sure, in my early 20s, I played the field a bit. Footballers do get a bad rap, and sometimes it’s justified – but it doesn’t apply to all of us. I’ve had my fun. Now I’m honest, I’m ready, and I want to find someone.”
Whether or not he finds love under the Spanish sun, Harry’s already proving to be one of the more intriguing contestants of the 2025 series – part pro athlete, part body double, and all in when it comes to romance.
Love Island returns Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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