Inverness personal trainer Wallace Wilson determined to remain rooted in the Highlands after finding fame on ITV show Love Island
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Wallace Wilson is already attracting potentially lucrative career offers after appearing in Love Island for just over a week.
Mr Wilson (24) acknowledged that modelling work was likely to take him away from home more frequently in the future.
But four years after moving north from Glasgow, he wants to remain in Nairn, where e lives, and keep working at the DW gym at Inverness Shopping Park.
On Sunday evening, millions of ITV2 viewers watched as Mr Wilson was dumped.
The public chose him and Rebecca Gormley as one of the two least compatible couples, before fellow contestants voted him out.
Despite admitting he felt “pretty gutted” by the blow, the experience is likely to be life-changing. His Instagram following has rocketed from 900 to almost 64,000 followers.
Mr Wilson will pursue modelling and TV opportunities through Glasgow-based management firm Colours Agency, but speaking exclusively to the Highland News and Inverness Courier said: “I told people in the villa that I don’t think Inverness gets the credit it deserves. It is one of the nicest places in the world.
“I love being there. Everyone is really supportive. I definitely want to keep myself grounded there.
“I don’t think I’ll be there as much because of work, but my closest friends stay there and it will remain my home base, my HQ. It is so relaxed and welcoming, without that crazy giddiness some places have.”
Describing life before Love Island as “pretty much perfect”, the health and fitness fanatic stressed: “You are only good-looking for a while so it makes sense to pursue modelling while there is this wave of publicity.
“But I still want to help people with personal training as that’s what I get a thrill out of. Money can’t buy that kind of rush. I actually felt guilty going on the show and leaving behind clients with goals to achieve.
“Love Island has given me a taste for more TV work, but I just want to make sure I get fulfilment from it and use it as a platform to help people.”
Mr Wilson, who grew closest to islanders Paige Turley, Finn Tapp and Luke Mabbott, felt no romantic spark with any of the female contestants and is still looking for love.
