LOVE Island couple Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen say no-one will find love like them again on the show. The pair, who are due to wed in September, believe the hit ITV series will now be bombarded with contestants who are desperate for fame, not romance. And Alex also thinks some of the most recent crop of wannabes were in it just to further their careers. Since leaving the villa, the pair have won a string of endorsement, modelling and fashion deals and are working on their own style brand. Former scaffolder Alex says: “Our relationship is a one-off. We’ve lasted because we are real. I didn’t expect all the stuff that happens after Love Island because no-one knew it was going to be so big. “Last year I think some of them went on there because they saw what we got afterwards, to make careers, rather than to be with someone.” Olivia adds: “It gets harder when people see the career they could carve afterwards. “I genuinely thought I’d get a job in car sales when I got out but, as it goes on, people see you can get a career and it’s a struggle to find genuine people.” The couple were runners-up in the 2016 series and won viewers over as nervous Olivia finally learned to trust Alex.
They moved in together in Essex straight after the show and Alex proposed in New York last year.
And as the sexy twosome pose in a Valentine’s-inspired racy bedroom shoot, Olivia reveals the wedding planning is now in full swing, with her dress already sorted.
She says: “I think people expected me to be in this ‘wow’ unreal dress and I did look at some designers and find one for £10,000.
“But I just thought, that’s not me, so I ended up going to the same place my mum got her wedding dress.
“It’s fitted and a little bit sexy.”
She will also have seven bridesmaids including fellow Islanders Cara De La Hoyde and Tina Stinnes.
And it sounds like the rumoured TV show following the run-up to the wedding is getting the green light.
Olivia says: “It’s in talks at the minute but there has been interest and there is something brewing over the next couple of weeks.
“We are waiting for the complete go-ahead before we can say anything for sure.”
The 2016 Islanders have drawn comparisons with last year’s engaged couple Jess Shears and Dom Lever who are also planning to wed this year.
But Alex insists they are not in competition. He adds: “I don’t look at it as a Love Island wedding. They probably do. It’s an Olivia and Alex wedding.”
They also have sharp words for critics who popped up when Alex showed off a tattoo of Olivia’s face on his leg. “People had a go, saying ‘what if you split up’?” says Alex. “I’m marrying the girl!
“It’s different to normal relationships. We spent six weeks in a house together, 24 hours a day.
“People can be in a relationship for six or seven months and only see the other person twice a week.”
The pair were also criticised for having sex on TV (actually they were the biggest rompers of their series) but they say attitudes need to change.
“The stigma about it needs to end,” says Olivia, 24. “We were on a show where relationships are the main game. Sex is part of a relationship and I don’t think people should shy away from that.”
And the pair will definitely be getting plenty of action this Valentine’s Day with Olivia promising to wear her sexiest lingerie for her man.
She laughs: “I love my underwear and lingerie so he might get a little treat!” Alex, 25, adds: “It’s Valentine’s Day – I’m definitely getting a treat.”
But the rest of their February 14 is set to be far less traditional, with a trip to Ballie Ballerson, the adult ball pit in London, followed by a trip to see Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the theatre.
The pair also reckon the recent sexism row over the axing of darts walk-on and Formula 1 grid girls could even affect Love Island one day.
Olivia says: “People losing their jobs and something they love to do because people think it is sexist is unfair. You wouldn’t see them there if they didn’t want to do it.
“Everything is having to be very politically correct now. Soon there won’t be any sex on TV allowed, and Love Island will have chastity belts!” Pictures: Styling: Hair and make-up: