Gabby Allen: ‘Christmas won’t be sad any more…’
After losing her dad four years ago, Love Island star Gabby Allen reveals how Marcel Somerville is finally making her smile again...
Genetically blessed lovebirds Gabby Allen, 25, and Marcel Somerville, 31 – who together came fourth in this summer’s sizzling reality TV show Love Island – have come a long way since leaving the Majorcan villa. Despite being hit with split rumours since, the couple are not only going strong, as we saw when they attended the best Heroes Awards in October, they’re also getting serious – as they plan to bring their families together for Christmas! For Gabby, in particular, after tragically losing her dad four years ago, it’s a season she’s finally looking forward to. Hi, guys! How much has changed for you both since Love Island? Gabby: So much! I have an amazing boyfriend. I’d had boyfriends before, but nobody as caring or genuine as Marcel. My exes loved themselves more than me! Our careers have had an amazing boost, but coming out of the show with each other is the best part.
Marcel: What can I say? It’s been… intense! I’ve published a book and done personal appearances but, above all,
I now have a girl I love.
What was your favourite moment inside
the Love Island villa? G: The moment Marcel asked me to be his girlfriend. I wasn’t expecting it at all, so I did a double-take.
M: Strangely, it was when we were separated. I knew from [missing Gabby] that this was real.
Are you very romantic?
G: Did you see the Jar Of Love on the show? Who comes up with something like that?! I’m definitely not as creative when it comes to romance. I’m more about physical gestures.
M: I’m a very romantic person! I agree with Gabby, my finest moment was definitely the Jar Of Love – we had no pens or paper, so I wrote a love poem for her in eyeliner, on cigarette paper. I’d been planning that for weeks!
What do you like most about each other?
G: He’s so calm. Any problem, he’s like, ‘Babe, that’s life. You just deal with it.’ But, I’d like to see him lose it one time...
M: Gabby’s bubbly, positive energy. I hate negative people bringing the vibe down. The only thing that gets to me is how she hates herself in pictures. She always looks beautiful!
How do your families get on together?
G: Marcel’s mum is lovely. He’s the way he is because of her. She’s just so laid-back. She and my mum are best mates now, texting each other all the time. It’s sweet.
M: My parents love Gabby. They’re already planning the wedding and talking about what our kids are going to be called. But even The Squad [Marcel’s group, Blazin’ Squad] fell for Gabs the minute they met her.
How’s Christmas shaping up this year?
G: My mum slaved her whole life to give me what I wanted, so now I have a little more money, I’m hoping
to do something nice for her and my brother. We might go to Barbados, where most of Marcel’s family live. He used to live there, too, and cared for his nan – and that tells you everything you need to know about Marcel!
So, Christmas could be different this year...
G: Good! It’s been miserable for us recently because I lost my dad four years ago around Christmas – it’s a sad time for my family. Hopefully, this year, with Marcel that’ll change. My mum’s had a new lease of life, too. If we don’t go to Barbados, we’ll do something with both of our families.
M: Yeah, my family may come to the UK, or we’ll do the big massive Barbados Christmas if we can make it work. That would be amazing.
Anything you’d love to happen quite soon?
G: Well, we already live together in east London... but, hopefully, with one finger on my left hand feeling a bit bare, maybe an engagement?! We’ve talked kids and decided to wait, but they’re definitely in the plan!
M: There’s a high possibility that I’ll put a ring on it! But you’ve got to do things at the right time. As anybody who watched Love Island knows, Gabby and I did things at our own pace – and that hasn’t changed. But I’m excited about what the future holds.