Exclusive:
Alex Bowen has revealed he was left “shocked” when his former Love Island co-star Tina Stinnes appeared in the All Stars edition as a bombshell to ruffle feathers
Alex Bowen was left stunned when his Love Island co-star Tina Stinnes appeared as a bombshell for the All Stars series.
During Thursday’s instalment of the ITV dating show, viewers were given a preview of tonights episode, revealing that series two contestant Tina would be arriving as a bombshell. Tina first appeared on the show back in 2016, entering on Day 20 – before being dumped 20 days later.
Initially, she had coupled up with Troy on Day 31, before later coupling with Adam Maxted. However, her arrival on the All Stars series is set to ruffle feathers as Scott Thomas, who originally appeared on series two with Tina admitted she was “always his type.” Scott told Tina that the pair could sit and “talk for hours”, although her arrival would be a problem as he is currently coupled with India.
The pair had previously shared a date on their original series but Scott ultimately only had eyes for his ex-girlfriend, Kady McDermott. Just hours after Tina’s bombshell arrival was announced, her former co-star Alex Bowen, 33, sat down for an exclusive chat with the Mirror.
Sharing his reaction, he said: “When she was going in there, I was so shocked.” He went on to reveal that he had to explain to Indiyah Polack, who he co-hosted the Love Island : The Morning After podcast with, who Tina was. He added: “I kind of gave her the lowdown of Tina, but it was nine years ago, so it’s going to be nice to see because she didn’t really get a great run the first time around. I remember that she had the kind of triangle thing with Scott and the Kady thing, and that never panned out.
“It was kind of quiet from there on out but I feel like she’s got a second chance now, she’s a lot older, a lot more mature, so I think she’s going to go in there and smash it.” Speaking about why she wants to make a comeback, Tina said: “It was the best experience that I’ve ever had, it made me learn about myself and grow. I was quite a shy person, so to put myself in that environment was very outside of my comfort zone, but I made friends for life. I was a bridesmaid at Olivia Bowen’s wedding, she’s still one of my best friends, going through that with someone is the best. I’d also love to meet a man of course too! I’ve been single for a long time, it’s about time.”
Discussing Scott, Alex, who is married to his partner from the show, Olivia Bowen, went on to add: “He’s changed so much, but he’s also the same person as well – I’m rooting for him. Obviously meeting the Islanders over the years, I know quite a few of them that are in there, it’s just quite fun to watch, I’m enjoying it.”
One thing he would love to see, which would make “great TV” is Maura Higgins dropping into the villa after her ex-boyfriend, Curtis Pritchard, kissed and coupled up with Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, who lives in the same apartment building as the Irish star. Sadly, this won’t happen as Maura has since found love with Pete Wicks.
“She’s supposed to be one of the best bombshells to ever go on Love Island,” Alex said when discussing Maura. He added: “That would be really good to watch!” Alex admits he didn’t agree with Ronnie’s actions when it came to kissing Kaz Crossley after being “quick”. He commented: “I think that got squashed when he coupled with Elma. I think they’re my favourite, compatibility wise, I just feel like they work really work together. I just hope Ronnie doesn’t go into turbo mode and choose someone else.”
There is one person though that is bringing a smile to Alex’s face – Luca Bish. “He’s one of my favourite people in the whole show,” he beamed. He added: “Some of the stuff he comes out with just absolutely kills me, I feel like he just says words without thinking what he’s going to say, I find him really, really funny. Sometimes it works and sometimes I just don’t know what he’s talking about.”
However, Alex admits that it’s “a tough one” for All Stars as almost all of the Islanders know one another. But, he admits it also has its advantages. “I think because they’re quite a little bit older, Marcel is like 39, Scott is 36, people are late 20s, early 30s, I think it’s a different vibe to when there’s lower 20s in there, I feel like I’m relating a bit more, maybe because I’m getting older myself.”
But while Alex met the love of his life, his wife and mother of his son on the show, he joked that he applied to be on Love Island for a sun tan. He laughed: “I didn’t really know much about it, so it was kind of I don’t know, I was very young. I mean, I was 24 , I know there was people, I think Liv was 21, I was still quite young.
“I feel like it was the best experience of my life. We’ve been together nine years, married for like seven years, which is crazy – nearly a decade. It’s just mad to think that it’s been such a long period of time.”
Love Island airs tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV X.
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