EXCLUSIVE: Love Island star Megan Forte Clarke has been speaking out about life after the ITV2 dating show and what is next for her and partner Conor Phillips
She might have walked into the villa hand-in-hand with a glass of Prosecco, but Megan Forte Clarke was never destined to fade into the background. The 24-year-old from Dublin, now living in Brighton, was one of the standout personalities on the 2024 series of Love Island.
With her quick wit, theatre-kid charm and fearless honesty, Megan quickly became a fan favourite – and a divisive figure – as she navigated the highs and lows of villa life.
After a whirlwind first stint that ended in a shock dumping, Megan’s dramatic return later in the series gave fans some of the most memorable moments of the season. Whether she was offering unfiltered advice to the girls or sparking an instant connection with Conor, her presence was never forgotten.
Since leaving the villa for good, Megan has swapped daybeds for brand trips, TikTok dances and the reality of building a relationship outside the cameras.
Speaking exclusively, Megan opens up about life after Love Island, the misconceptions she wants to clear up, and why she and Conor are thriving in the real world.
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Since leaving the villa, Megan admits life has been a whirlwind. “It is crazy. It’s literally like so hectic but so fun. I’m having a ball,” she says, reflecting on how quickly things changed once the cameras stopped rolling.
Looking back on her villa entrance, Megan recalls being thrown in at the deep end. “I didn’t know what to expect whatsoever going in. You walk in and it’s like Barbie’s dream house because everything is exactly what you’ve seen on telly.
“I was overwhelmed because all the girls were already there – me and Helen were the last two to walk in. But once I sat down with a glass of Prosecco in hand, all was well.”
Megan’s Love Island journey was unusual in that she appeared twice. After being dumped early on, she made a shock return later in the series. The difference, she says, was striking.
“The routine in the villa was the same, but the vibe was so different. At the start it was high energy, everyone was still finding their feet. Coming back later, everyone was really couple-y and chilled out. It felt like a couples’ all-inclusive holiday, which was actually really nice.”
Megan also found herself stepping into a bit of a mentor role. “When it came to Meg and Helena, obviously the boys had been being the boys. I was kind of doing it from a friend’s perspective. I don’t know if I was necessarily a fairy godmother, but I tried my best.”
Her time in the villa wasn’t without controversy. Some viewers labelled her part of a “mean girls” divide, something she now insists was far from the truth.
“Oh, the mean girls stuff… I get it, don’t get me wrong. In that environment, everyone can have their funny little moments. But me and Ali were very much Switzerland a lot of the time.
“I think I got a backlash because people thought I was picking sides, but I left as friends with everyone in there. I know that myself, which is nice.”
Asked if she returned to change public perception, Megan is thoughtful. “Yes and no. I didn’t leave on the best of terms the first time, but I don’t think I changed anything in my behaviour when I went back in.
“I just avoided getting involved in drama I hadn’t been there for. I know a lot more goes on in the villa than what’s shown on telly, so it was best to keep my two pence out.”
Of course, Megan’s biggest storyline outside the villa has been her blossoming romance with Conor. The pair clicked instantly upon her return and have been inseparable since.
“It’s actually so much nicer coming out of the villa,” she says. “As hectic as life is right now, we’re just able to do normal daily things together. It’s developing so much quicker in a way, because in there it’s wild. Now we can just pop to the shops together instead of sitting on daybeds for hours.”
Surprisingly, the couple haven’t hit any major roadblocks yet. “We haven’t faced any challenges as of yet. The only thing is going between Ireland and Brighton. It’s funny seeing him in my girly room, then me staying in his for a week at a time. But other than that, we’re flying, it’s great.”
As for the future, Megan says moving in together is definitely on the cards – but not quite yet. “We want to move in, but we’ve put it in the back of our minds because so much is going on. Definitely something for the future though.”
And kids? She laughs: “Obviously little baby Megan-Conors running around dancing… not too soon though!”
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