Tony Cowell chats to Michael Griffiths
‘My parents said they were proud of me and told me to ignore what others were saying’
LoveIsland star Michael Griffiths was tagged the ‘ villain of the villa’ during his spell on last year’s show and famously dumped eventual show winner Amber Gill for Joanna Chimonides. But the former Liverpool firefighter claims he was unfairly edited by the show. Here he opens up to best about receiving death threats, why he chose to compete on the new series of Celebrity Ex on the Beach; and exclusively reveals he is about to go out on tour with male strippers the Dreamboys.
Are you excited about joining the Dreamboys tour this year?
I am, yes! There had been talk about it for some time and now it has just been confirmed, so I’m really up for it to be honest. I’m getting ready for rehearsals because the tour starts in March.
How are your dance moves?
Not too bad but, luckily, I have had one of the Jersey Boys teaching me choreography, so I’m getting more confident as each day goes by.
As a former fireman, I guess you have a strict exercise regime?
Yes, I train six days a week in the gym for three hours. I have to do that amount to stay in shape. My fitness is very important to me.
You appeared in last year’s Love Island – what made you want to do the show?
I had broken up with my ex in January last year, so that prompted me to do the show. My parents, Julie and Eric, and my brothers were really supportive, but I didn’t tell them I was going on the show; I just said I was going to stay with friends. When I came home after the show, I expected them to be mad with me, but they were proud of me and told me to ignore what others were saying about me. I come from a close family – we have each other’s backs.
You weren’t happy with the way you were portrayed as the villain in the villa, were you?
I was a bit annoyed at the way I had been edited in the show. But I am quite a strong character, so I was happy it happened to me and not others because I’m strong enough to take it. I made the decision to go on the show – I have to take all that is thrown my way.
You also received death threats on social media – were you shocked?
I think that was the worst part of it all, to be honest. People I didn’t know sending letters to my home address
– and leaving threatening notes on my car. Some of them I think were just idle threats, but you just don’t know.
Were you surprised by the amount of attention you received after Love Island?
Totally. I suppose I just didn’t think the show
would have that level of impact. When the show finished, I thought it would all die down, but it didn’t. The upside of it is that I have been offered much more work on TV – I have to take the good with the bad.
You are in the new series of Celebrity Ex on the Beach – how did you find that experience?
I was a bit apprehensive at first because I’d just done Love Island, so I went in with my guard up. But, as soon as I saw some familiar faces, I loosened up a little and, in the end, I really enjoyed doing the it.
How did you get on with Calum (Best) and Joey (Essex)?
We all got on surprisingly well. Joey was one of the first people I saw there, and I really like him. Calum was kind of the dad of the group – he always has sensible advice. I have a lot of respect for Calum and I value his wise words.
Is it true you have since spilt from Ellie Brown?
No, Ellie and I are doing really well together. She texted me this morning, we talk all the time – we are really close. She even FaceTimed my mum. So, we are going to keep everyone guessing. Ellie helped me to start believing in myself again, and to be OK about dropping my guard and showing my true emotions. I hold Ellie so high in my life at the moment. I’m not going to let her get away from me easily.
Are you ready for a serious relationship, though, at this stage?
At the moment I am waiting for things to calm down in my life before I can give anyone 110 per cent of me. At the same time, I want to be with someone who understands the work I want to do in the future. I’m not saying I want to be single – I just want to be happy.
You haven’t stopped working since Love Island – will you do more reality TV?
I think I will, yes. There are only two big TV shows I am interested in doing, but I can’t say which ones just yet. But we are talking…
Celebrity Ex on the Beach
continues on MTV Tuesdays at 10pm. For details and tickets for the Dreamboys 2020 tour see dreamboys.co.uk